16th Annual Celtic Festival
September 29 & 30, 2012
Dressing-up in period costume is definitely encouraged, so if you ever wanted to be a medieval lady-in-waiting, a country squire or “just” a peasant with his or her hound(s) by your side, then this is most definitely for you …
The club will supply the event insurance, some tents and electric fans (in case it’s hot) and you bring your seats, x-pens (pop-up tents if you have ’em), and those lover’ly hounds.
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Anyone not on the gate list may have their hounds denied access (though ‘twould be a cold-hearted Irishman could do such a thing … !).
The Gate List will be held at the Grounds Entertainment check-in at Gate 5, through which you must enter, initially.
Period Celtic costumes are definitely encouraged. NCIWC is classed by the organisers as an “entertainer”. The area we are assigned is called “Animals of the Celtic Lands”. The area is adjacent to but set apart from the living history area, so whatever you want to do with costuming is great (though arriving as Captain Kirk might get a few askance glances !!!).
Throughout the Festival there will be occasional musket volleys or field cannons firing, so be prepared to handle your hound in a firm manner at these times. This is NOT a venue for hounds that are not PERFECTLY acclimatised to a constant hustle and bustle ! There will be sheep (which are very well contained), horses (not always so very well contained) and various other animals on site, so be sure “Fido” is well socialised (positively) to such things … not to mention generally, around crowds of people. As for the onsite Raptors (birds of prey), they are USUALLY tethered (but not always), so you’ll need to be especially careful when passing near them … in fact, it’s best to avoid that area entirely ! The odd free-range chicken or two may also be roaming around the parking lot, if past years are any indication – so a very strong leash is also a necessity. Off-leash running may be arranged in some of the more remote livestock-pen areas to the rear of the fairgrounds.
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PLACE
Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95949
(530) 273-6217
SET-UP/TEAR-DOWN TIMES
You may begin placing your set-up anytime after Noon on Thursday, September 27.
No vehicles are to remain on the inner grounds after 9:00 am on Saturday, September 29 !
Tear-down CANNOT BEGIN until AFTER 6:00 pm, Sunday, through the back (Gate 8) entrance to the festival. This is for the animal area only. Please bring all necessary items for caring for the animals on site and please load out any waste.
PARADE
The organisers would appreciate NCIWC’s participation in the opening processional on Saturday, September 29. The parade begins at approximately 11am, with staging around 10:45 am at Gate 5.
CAMPING
You must make, and pay for, your own reservations for camping / RV spots. See the information contained within the web site mentioned below.
ENTRY
As members of NCIWC and as “entertainers”, we all qualify for free entry – assuming you bring your hound(s). To qualify, you MUST have your official name (as on your ID) on our Gate List (please send these to me, Chris Thompson, asap at truebrit@napanet.net). It is better to have your name on the list and not be able to make it, than to try adding your name later.
PARKING
Please note that the Fairgrounds is charging a fee of $ 5 per vehicle for parking. When you arrive and check in, you will receive a pass for re-entry during the festival through gate 4. Mention you are part of the NCIWC entertainers group.
WEBSITE