Belle Mont Mansion to host a celebration of Celtic culture

Apr. 27—For one day in May, the historic Belle Mont Mansion in the North Alabama town of Tuscumbia opens its doors and lawn for a cultural celebration of its Celtic heritage. The third annual Celtic Festival is set for Saturday, May 11, 2024, and during the day-long event, there will be music, demonstrations, arts and crafts, food and more to create a true Celtic cultural experience for the community and visitors. Special activities are also lined up for Museum Day Friday, May 10, along with free admission to the historic museum.

Celebrating the historical significance of the Scottish heritage of people for whom Belle Mont was built in the early 1800s, the Belle Mont Celtic Fest is an outdoor festival featuring world-class Celtic musicians, performing the music of Scotland and Ireland. Along with live music, there will be demonstrators of Celtic life-skills and arts, activities for children, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, shaggy Highland cows to pet and photograph, Celtic merchandise by Near and Far Scottish Supply and more.

Returning to headline this year's festival is the popular group, the Steel City Rovers, on U.S. tour from Ontario, Canada. According to festival organizers, The Steel City Rovers add a special dimension to the Belle Mont Celtic Fest.

Also returning to the Belle Mont stage will be the high-energy Piper Jones Band and the Alabama-based duo, Chambless and Muse, whose performances are popular with Shoals audiences. In addition, making their debut performance in this year's festival, will be the Alabama Pipes and Drums, featuring an array of bagpipers wearing their signature kilts. A modest admission cost is required for Saturday when festival performances will be staged on the sweeping lawn of Belle Mont. Festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Inside Belle Mont for festivalgoers to enjoy in addition to live music on Saturday will be chamber music, exhibits, demonstrations and panel discussions on the migratory trends into North Alabama by people with roots in the Celtic British Isles.

Friday May 10, activities for Museum Day include chamber music, cultural demonstrations and a demonstration of the Gordon Setter, a canine breed that originated in Scotland, by an Ohio-based professional breeder/trainer. A film, produced by Yale University and the late Willie Ruff, will be screened, documenting cultural ties between Scotland and African American choral worship. All events during regular museum hours on Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. are free and open to the public.

More information

Friday, May 10

Museum Day

10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

Free

Saturday, May 11

Music Festival

10 a.m. — 6 p.m.

$10 (19-plus) / $5 (13-18 years old) / free (12 and younger)

Tickets for Saturday may be purchased in advance on Eventbrite for a discounted rate of $5/adult per day ( plus fee) and $5/13-18 years old per day (plus fee).

Rain location is Northwest-Shoals Community College gymnasium located at 800 George Wallace Boulevard in Muscle Shoals. Belle Mont Mansion is located at 1569 Cook Lane in Tuscumbia. The Belle Mont Celtic Fest is made possible by funding from sources including the Northwest Alabama R C & D Council, The Daniel Foundation and Colbert County Community Development and sponsorships by lovers of Celtic music.

Belle Mont Mansion (circa 1828) was built for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, an early settler of Scottish heritage. The house was later owned by the Isaac Winston family. It is one of Alabama's most significant Federal period homes, the design influenced by Thomas Jefferson. Belle Mont is a historic property of the Alabama Historical Commission, operated by the Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1982, due to its architectural significance

For more information, call (256) 381-5052 or visit https://bellemontcelticfest.godaddysites.com/.