Greetings from the Fringe Festival
Earlier this month we launched our new-look website and announced the upcoming 2021 Australian Celtic Fringe Festival (ACFF), celebrating Ireland & Isle of Man. Yes, this year our annual festival is a little different and to mark this difference a special name is needed. Welcome to the first Australian Celtic Fringe Festival. Music, markets, entertainment, activities for the kids, Clans, Societies and ceremonies. That’s what’s in store, so let’s have a closer look.
Over the course of the past year we’ve all needed to adapt the way we do things, to keep us safe and be compliant with regulations that protect our health. And we’re pleased to say we have been able to plan for a great Celtic festival experience for all the family, a new experience for loyal attendees and newcomers alike – the Australian Celtic Fringe Festival Event at the Australian Standing Stones Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd May.
Over the first weekend of May, there will be a free entry market event around the Stones where you’ll find traders, Clan and Society stalls, refreshments and activities for all the family. Adjacent but separated from the market event will be an entertainment precinct where we’ll be hosting a series of ticketed Concert Sessions where you’ll be able to enjoy music, watch dancers and entertainers perform.
Everything you need to know will be found on our Australian Celtic Festival website, so keep in touch for any updates and let this be your guide for a great Celtic weekend of celebration in Glen Innes Highlands!
We hope to see you there!
From the ACFF team
Join us for the 2021 Australian Celtic Fringe Festival as we celebrate the Celtic nations
of Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Introducing our 2021 performers
Meet some of our talented artists performing in this year’s Entertainment Precinct. There is a wonderful variety from beautiful traditional Gaelic songs and balladry to toe tapping, high energy, craicin’ and rock! You can view our Program on the Australian Celtic Festival website where you’ll find details about the Concert Sessions and who will be performing in each session.
Here’s just a few of our performers to whet your appetite…
Ella Roberts
Ella is Australian born with Celtic roots from the Scottish Highlands and Isles and Ireland. With her huge passion for Celtic culture and song, at the 2019 Australian Celtic Music Awards, Ella won ‘Female Artist of the Year’, ‘Celtic Song of the Year’ for her original, ‘Elluria’s Lament’, and ‘Celtic Artist of the Year’.
The Gathering
Fronted by award-winning Irish musician Mick McHugh, The Gathering will get your craic on with their high-energy music, their unique stamp on Irish music, blended with an array of covers from DJ Avicii and Mumford & Sonsto Creedence Clearwater Revival and Johnny Cash.
Gone Molly
This trio’s accolades include four Australian Celtic Music Awards, including ‘Celtic Group of the Year’ in 2018 and 2019. Singer-songwriter Sally Harris, Rebecca Wright and instrumentalist Lachlan Baldwin, bring a love of Celtic history, mythology, traditional song and instrumentation to delight your senses.
Hat Fitz and Cara
Here’s a mix of folk, Celtic roots and blues with an old-time gospel flavour. Hat is a veteran wild man of Australia’s blues scene. Cara has a sensational voice with a soul background and taken on drumming duties, washboards, flute and tin whistle: sometimes all at once!
Cape Byron Celtic Dance
Based on the northern coastline of NSW Cape Byron Celtic Dance group produce a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. They specialise in traditional Scottish and Irish dancing alongside original choreography pieces that incorporate all Celtic dance forms.
Applications are still open - be part of the 2021 ACFF!
There are many ways to be involved in the Australian Celtic Fringe Festival in 2021. Head to our Apply page on the website and you’ll see the range of activities you can participate in, from busking to market stall trading.
The Australian Celtic Fashion Awards
One event we are excited for is the popular Australian Celtic Fashion Awards. Since 2015 the Australian Celtic Fashion Awards have become a showcase for Celtic fashion, providing Celtic themed designers a platform to show their craft to a wide and interested audience.
This year our Australian Celtic Fashion Award (ACFA) entries will be showcased in a brand new exhibition held at the Glen Innes Town Hall over four days, beginning April 29. This year’s theme for the ACFAs is ‘A Tartan Day Out’, and explores creativity and resourcefulness.
Entry information can be found on our website.
We are challenging our entrants to think outside traditional garments and dressmaking rules when creating a tartan piece, fit for a Highlands family picnic. Be creative, be resourceful, be brave and stitch, knit, felt, weave or even paint. We have a range of sections across four award categories;
Junior (students currently studying kindergarten to year 6)
Secondary (students currently studying years 7 to 12)
Open (18 years and over)
Older Persons (Special registered awards program)
Sections include dressmaking, leatherwork, knitting, weaving, felting, millinery and accessories.
There will also be a people’s choice award voted by exhibition attendees, encouraging engagement and interaction with our audience.
Become a Volunteer
There is a lot of planning and preparation with many sub groups of volunteers working closely with event organisers to bring the event to life.
If you are interested in becoming one of our valued volunteers, complete an expression of interest form.
Sponsor our Festival
Why Sponsor one of the biggest events in Glen Innes Highlands?
The Festival provides an opportunity for brands and businesses to promote their product or service in a unique way to target and reach new audiences, attracting families, active retirees and grey nomads as well as locals and regional neighbours of all ages.
As an Australian Celtic Festival Sponsor, we look forward to helping you:
Increase your brand reach to approximately 5,000 highly inspired and passionate Festival visitors, locals and participants who attend the festival.
Increase your brand awareness into new markets to establish new customers and increase revenue.
Leverage new marketing channels – National and International reach throughout the Festival’s marketing channels: social, website, newsletters, radio, press, and signage via two brands, Australian Celtic Festival & Glen Innes Highlands (dependent on sponsorship level)
There are a range of Sponsorship options available for the 2021 Australian Celtic Fringe Festival. Whether you would like to make a large contribution or an in-kind donation, every little bit contributes to making our Festival a great success.
Find our 2021 Sponsorship Prospectus here.
