City holding 2017 Ohio Celtic Festival

The Ohio Celtic Festival is coming back to Lake County for its sixth year.

The event to be Aug. 11-13 at Classic Park, 35300 Vine St. in Eastlake, will feature a weekend long lineup of musicians from Ireland, Canada and the United States performing Celtic music, traditional, folk, and Irish rock music and dance on four stages.

In addition, a stage will be set up for children’s entertainment, such as a princess show on Aug. 12-13. Princesses will be available for meet-and-greets along with photos after the performances. The weekend also will feature performances from three members of Celtic Thunder.

An assortment of ethnic food and drinks will be available as well.

“It’s a family-driven weekend of music, song and dance and vendors,” said Pat Coyne, the festival’s director. “It’s wholesome family shows that we want to bring to the community.”

Coyne is hopeful to make the Celtic Festival a signature event for Lake County.

In addition to providing entertainment, the festival looks to give back to the community on Aug. 11. No gate admission will be charged, but police and firefighters will be at the gate accepting donations.

“All dollars collected, 100 percent, will go to the police and fire equally,” Coyne said. “We are doing this fundraiser because it’s very important because of what the police and firemen do for us. It’s just a little give back to them.”

The firefighters will be collecting donations for firefighters with cancer and the police for the wounded officers fund.

“This is what we do,” Coyne said. “We hope the people of Lake County come out to enjoy an afternoon or evening of family fun.”

Admission to the event is free Aug. 11 from 5 to 11 p.m., and $12 on Aug. 12-13 from noon to 11:30 p.m. A Sunday Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 13.

For a full lineup of performances or additional information, visit www.ohiocelticfest.com.

NEWS-HERALD FILE Celtic-inspired folk trio The Gothard Sisters, who are sisters by genetics as well as by moniker, wrap up a number on the Ohio Savings Bank Stage Aug. 12 during opening day of the 2016 Ohio Celtic Festival at Classic Park in Eastlake.