A celebration of Celtic culture

ONE of the highlights of my calendar is the annual National Celtic Folk Festival.

I enjoy getting to Portarlington whenever I can.

It is a beautiful part of the world and is home to some amazing wineries, beaches, a top-quality golf course, nature trails and of course the miniature railway.

There is also a wonderful community spirit and a thriving food and coffee scene in the heart of the town.

Tourism has always been a big economic driver but the ferry that makes its way here from Melbourne is now also allowing more families from across Melbourne and Victoria to explore this part of the world.

The foot traffic in, and population of, Portarlington this weekend is set to increase dramatically once more as the town welcomes some of Australia’s, and indeed the world’s top folk musicians.

Portarlington has a reputation as a festival town, owing to its well-established credentials hosting the annual Mussel Festival in January, and then the National Celtic Folk Festival across the King’s Birthday weekend.

These major events and the others across the region like them play such a vital role in reaffirming and expanding our profile as they draw new and returning visitors here to support our local economy and enhance our reputation as a welcoming and inclusive city.

So Council is proud to once again be supporting the National Celtic Folk Festival through Geelong Major Events.

This year will be the 20th anniversary for the folk festival, which always attracts an eclectic group of attendees.

The Celtic people are a proud and passionate group, and music flows through their veins.

Here in Greater Geelong, the Scots, Irish, Welsh, Cornish, Bretons and Manx culture is incredibly strong, and our rich Celtic heritage can be seen in the names of many of our streets and suburbs.

This is part of the reason the National Celtic Folk Festival is such a special event for myself and many others.

It is about more than music, it is about gathering people from near and far, connecting through the stories of our ancestors, and the richness of Celtic culture.

It is about community, embracing our history and celebrating with friends and family.

But I know the focus will be on the music, which is what launched this amazing festival and what has pushed it to become one of the region’s biggest annual events.

So I say thank you to all of the artists who have come to perform and share their talents, knowledge and passion.

For families and younger children, there will also be plenty on as well, with dancing, kids lessons, story telling of folk heroes, and plenty of different foods to try.

It makes for a truly inclusive atmosphere and a genuine occasion where there really is something for everyone.

To the wider community that will come to Portarlington this weekend to be entertained, participate, and explore everything the festival has to offer, I hope you are inspired by the rich spirit and traditions of Celtic culture, and I hope to see you there.

Cr Jim Mason

Bellarine Ward,

City of Greater Geelong