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The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival seeks to promote and preserve the rich Celtic heritage of Northeast Louisiana. In addition to the festival’s regional highlights, visitors enjoy performances by some of the world’s most renowned Celtic musicians and storytellers; workshops on Celtic language, instruments and history; a dance stage and children’s stage; Highland games; Celtic wares and exhibitors; food and beverage, and much more!

The mission of Northeast Louisiana (NELA) Celtic Festival is to celebrate and preserve the rich Celtic heritage of northeast Louisiana, which has historically been known as “Celtic Louisiana,” and to host events which educate, entertain and promote cultural awareness.

The festival is the culmination of work done by publicans Doyle and Yvette Jeter, who have been presenting all manner of music at Enoch's Irish Pub in Monroe, LA. In particular, Celtic music and cultural activities have enjoyed active support at Enoch's since St. Patrick's Day of 1980.

The festival was begun in October of 2005 as a benefit event for the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Gardens in Monroe. Over the next three years, the NELA Celtic Festival outgrew its nest and found its new home at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe.

Now in its 4th year, the NELA Celtic Festival continues to grow and improve, generating support from many organizations and individuals. Our community is truly behind this project. For many years regional cultural enthusiasts and educational agencies have hosted and promoted events and programs designed to highlight Celtic culture, such as concerts, speeches and workshops, re-enactments, ceremonies and theatrical presentations. Considering this proven track record, we anticipate continued interest in our festival project and in support of its goals.

The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival underwrites Celtic Connections, a weekly radio program on KEDM Public Radio.

The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival
Executive Committee

• Dave Norris, Mayor, West Monroe, LA
• Mary Ann Newton, President, West Monroe / West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce
• Enoch Doyle Jeter, Festival Founder, Publican of Enoch's Irish Pub & Cafe, Monroe, LA
• Robin Hatten, Director, The Ike Hamilton Expo Center
• Darren Burgess, Director, The West Monroe Convention Center
• Doug Seegers, Event Coordinator, The West Monroe Convention Center
• Molly Pealer, Co-Founder and Grant Director of the NELA Celtic Festival
• Tom McCandlish, Co-Founder and Coordinator of Highland Games of the NELA Celtic Festival, and President of the NELA Celtic Society
• Mary McCandlish, Children's Activities Coordinator
• Chris Pealer, Assistant Children's Activities Coordinator
• Drew Fluke, Volunteer Coordinator
• Brandy Leggett, West Monroe / West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce
• Cindy Thompson, West Monroe / West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce

More...

Celtic festivals are held successfully throughout the world. Across the southern United States, Celtic heritage enthusiasts are historically supportive of these types of events, traveling great distances and planning their family vacations and weekend getaways around Celtic festivals and special performances. The NELA Celtic Festival is in the unique position of having built-in community support, a very strong and hard-working volunteer base, and many resources available to us. Our festival founder has over 20 years of experience in coordinating large-scale cultural events. Our advisory committee holds close contacts within the Celtic “community” throughout the U.S. and even throughout the Celtic nations, but especially along the I-20 corridor from Texas to Mississippi, and throughout the state of Louisiana. Collaborative efforts among various regional Celtic organizations are allowing for exponential growth in awareness, preservation and promotion of Celtic heritage as well as in awareness of north Louisiana as a travel destination.

We are excited to announce a new partnership with the City of West Monroe and the festival’s new home, the Ike Hamilton Expo Center. The Expo Center is a 3,500 seat, 40 acre (7 indoor/ 33outdoor), multi-purpose facility - another regional asset in which we can all take pride while providing a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for our guests. This move will allow for future innovations, such as animal exhibitions and competitions, parades, a Celtic beauty contest, etc.

We will continue our focus this year on educational aspects, producing a second edition of the festival program, expanding the children’s area, and increasing the workshop and performance offerings. Our festival program also serves as a regional advertisement mechanism and highlights many tourist attractions and cultural programs.