December 2014


Thanks to everyone who has donated in support of future Niagara Celtic Heritage Festivals! Please see their names listed below. It is the support of these wonderful people that are helping to keep our 15th Heritage Festival on track.

If you haven't donated, please do so now. Please show Western New York  that Celtic heritage matters...and our wonderful family festival matters too! Just as important, help us spread the word about our fund drive.

One more thing: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! We're looking forward to beginning our 15th anniversary announcements in January.

Vicki Banks
Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival
In This Issue
Fund Drive Update
Enter & Win!
Thank You to Our Supporters
Celebrating Hogmanay
Upcoming Performance

Dec. 31st
Doors Open 6:30pm
Showtime 8pm
 
Buffalo Irish Center
245 Abbott Road
Buffalo, NY 14220

Tickets $5 at the door
Upcoming Performance

Jan. 16th-Feb. 8th
It is Christmas Day in the year 1183 at the castle in Chinon, France. A grand battle brews as King Henry II of England and his wife, Queen Eleanor of Acquitaine square off to determine which of their three sons will inherit the throne.

Irish Classical Theatre Company
625 Main St. Buffalo, NY
For Tickets Call Our Box Office (716) 853-1380
Upcoming Event
Haggis
January 24th

6:00pm Supper

300 Lake St. Wilson, NY 14172

Call for tickets: $30 each (includes tax and gratuity), limited seats. 716-751-9888
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Coming Next Month
robert burns
Celebrating Robert Burns
Fund Drive Update
15th Anniversary News
& More!
Fund Drive Update
If 130 people donate $100, we'll reach our goal!

Your generous contribution will go farther than you imagine!  Your support allows us to hire local bands, dance schools, organizations and historical groups, which helps keep them alive as well! We also use as many local businesses as possible for printing, copies, signs, souvenirs, beverages and so much more. So by supporting us, you're also helping support local small businesses and groups. 

To Donate by Mail: 
Please make checks out to 'Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival'. Mail to Niagara Celtic c/o Fund Drive | 6447 Phillips Rd. Burt, NY 14028
2 WEEKS LEFT: Enter Our Raffle NOW
As little as $5 gets you a chance to  WIN!
 
Win Festival Passes, Beverage Tickets, Souvenirs, Mead, lottery tickets & more!

Everyone who donates is instantly entered into our Jan. 1st Hogmanay Raffle.

The more you donate, the more chances you earn!

THREE winners will be crowned High King or High Queen and win a Grand Prize Basket!
Thank You to our Supporters
Welcome the Newest Patrons to our Kingdoms!
The people listed below are committed to protecting the heritage of the Celtic nations, and we thank them for their donations and support!

Kingdom of
�ire

Duke Jeff &
Duchess Jo Burton

Laird Joe & Lady Teresa Kearns

Laird Hugh I. Smith

Laird Daniel Sweeney

Lady Keirstan Thompson

Dame Joan
Beecher

Squire Doralee Lackey

Squire Alan McManis

Kingdom of
Alba

Laird Gordon Hubbell

Laird Elton & Lady Christa Lyon

Lady Jeanne Treat

Sir Tristan and Dame Sue Wilson

Squire Wayne
Berry

Squire Jan
Sandberg
Kingdom of Cymru

Duke Bill & Duchess Barb Brado

Sir Ken & Lady Elizabeth Allore

Sir Len Thornton

Squire Chris Myszkowski

Squire
Anonymous

Celebrating Hogmanay
colorful-fireworks.jpg
The Scotland New Year 

For around 400 years (the end of the 17th century to the 1950's), Christmas was not celebrated in Scotland. The Church of Scotland - a Presbyterian church - for various reasons never placed emphasis on the Christmas season. As a result, many instead celebrated the winter solstice on Hogmanay, the last day of the year. Its origins come from a blend of Gaelic, British, Viking and French traditions.   

Hogmanay has many traditions, some which continue today. How many do you recognize?

  • Fire is important to Hogmanay, since long ago fireballs signified the sun's power to purify the world by consuming evil spirits. Old ceremonies included bonfires, tossing lit torches, and rolling tar barrels down hills while on fire. Still common today are large bonfires, modern fireballs and fireworks.
  • Having a clean house on Dec. 31st lets you start fresh (used to include cleaning out fireplaces and coal buckets).
  • Animal hide was wrapped around sticks and ignited, which produced a smoke that could ward off evil spirits.
  • 'The Bells' is a phrase used to describe the midnight hour when New Year's Eve becomes New Year's Day.
  • An old superstition was to clear all debts before The Bells.
  • Minutes before the start of New Year, a lone piper often plays as everyone waits for The Bells.
  • Immediately after midnight it is traditional to sing Robert Burns' "For Auld Lang Syne".
  • In many parts of Scotland gifts or "Hogmanay's" are exchanged after the turn of midnight.
  • Giving best wishes to friends and strangers will clear out the vestiges of old and start the new one fresh.
  • Scots welcome the first person to step foot into their door after midnight. The 'First Footer' should bring with them a gift for the host, such as coal for the fire, a coin, shortbread or whisky. Footers who don't bring a gift receive bad luck. Most homes prefer the First Footer be a dark-haired male, which brought good luck. This came from the old fears of Viking invasions, whom were largely blond strangers.
  • Handseling was once common, which was giving good-luck gifts on the first Monday of the New Year.
Thank You to our Sponsors:
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