Leahy Brothers open Greenbridge Festival
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy to close Celtic music festival Saturday night
Growing up as a Leahy, you had to know how to share.
And when you’re all grown up, that doesn’t change.
Sisters Sheila Leahy and Cathy Kempmann, first cousins to The Leahy Family, were first on the list to use the family passes for Greenbridge Celtic Folk Festival.
“We were brought up sharing – there’s a lot of us in each family,” said Leahy with a laugh.
Leahy and Kempmann set up their lawn chairs in front of the McCloskey Mainstage, hours before the music got underway – and they were still more than a dozen rows back.
The sisters got to use the family passes Friday, before handing them over to their other sister and niece for Saturday.
Leahy drove from Kitchener and Kempmann from Cambridge for the event.
They love to see their family members perform, feeling a sense of pride when they see them on stage.
“I’m getting goosebumps already,” Leahy said.
The Leahy Brothers opened the main stage Friday and on Saturday Natalie MacMaster and her husband Donnell Leahy will close it.
The couple will also perform an instructional fiddle workshop Saturday and Junior Leahys and Friends will host Kids Time.
Before the mainstage got underway Friday, Rory’s Pub Stage was packed with people sipping Guinness and nibbling on food from vendors.
Niamh Dunn has to wait yet another year before she can gulp down a Guinness at the festival though. The Ireland native is having twins.
She toured the festival grounds with her one-year-old son Ryan and her aunt Friday afternoon.
Greenbridge is happening at Pascal McCloskey’s property on Heritage Line, just south of Highway 7. He owns McCloskey International and is from Ireland.
Dunn didn’t make it to the festival last year because she’d just had Ryan, so she was happy to make it this time.
“I wanted to feel some Irish heritage,” she said.
Dunn was most looking forward to seeing We Banjo 3, who hails from her home county of Galway.
We Banjo 3 was what drew the Parkers to Greenbridge.
Twins Gillian and Erin Parker attended Friday with their mom Brenda Parker. They all came from different cities, Toronto, Ottawa and Kingston, for the festival.
“We love to go to Celtic stuff together,” said Brenda.
The Parkers are also fans of McMaster and her husband. Both fiddle
players, Gillian and Erin went to Leahy Music Camp years ago.
Three stages were spread across the festival grounds, with a small tractor offering wagontype rides so people could get from here to there.
A vendor village is at the heart of it all, with merchants selling wares for souvenirs and snacks to keep people going.
Some visitors camped overnight this year too, which Brenda thought was a great idea.
In fact, Brenda thought that might be something she’d like to do with her daughters next year.
“It’s a shame to have to drive home night,” Brenda said.
NOTE: Greenbridge continues Saturday until 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $85 for adults and kids 15 and under are free. Tickets are available at www.greenbridgefolkfest.com or at the gate.