An annual favorite!
Join us at GCV&M for an annual favorite – the Celtic Faire! From the Scottish Highlands, Emerald Isles, and rugged Welsh coastline to the Genesee Valley, Celtic traditions and roots run deep. Explore this rich culture at our pan-Celtic celebration of heritage music, dance, and authentic food and drink. Shop specialty vendors, see artisan demos, watch exciting Highland games, explore the Historic Village, find out about your family history at the clan booths, explore tartans in the John L. Wehle Gallery, and so much more.
Event sponsor:
Enjoy traditional foods, treats, and craft beverages
From Scotch eggs to historically-based craft beers on tap, the Museum will be bustling with good eats on this festival weekend! Visit historic Hosmer’s Inn Taproom for beverages and hand pies, and fine fresh baked goods at the D.B. Munger Confectionery. Don’t miss our sale of freshly baked Irish Soda Bread and more.
Games of Skill & Spirit
Cheer on the Buffalo Heavies as they compete in historical Scottish demonstrations of strength, agility, and skill. This year local athlete and Buffalo Heavy Andy Crawford will challenge the Guinness World Record for most caber tosses in three minutes! (Saturday at 1 p.m.) Then, jump into the action yourself—visitors are invited to join the atheletes for an impromptu sheaf toss on (Saturday at 3 p.m. $) to test their own strength and technique.
Take a swing at cricket with games historian Tom Melville. Join Roc City Gaelic to try hurling and learn more about Gaelic football and camogie. A practice net will be setup for visitors, and a hands-on youth clinic will be Sunday at 11am.
Explore Celtic-based tabletop and lawn games including birinig, boules, birlos, croquet, quoits, sheaf toss, and Irish rings.
Heritage Music, Dance & Folklore
Rock out to the stirring rhythms of A Bit of Irish Street Band and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann of Rochester. Listen as the campus echoes with the thrum of traditional melodies as played by by local pipe bands Feadán Òr, Rochester Scottish Pipes & Drums, and Celtic Spirit Pipe Band. Heart-pounding dance demonstrations by ROCeltic and Rochester Academy of Irish Dance will keep you on your feet!
Dive into Welsh folklore, dance, music, and culture with the return of Ruthanne Ankney. Explore Breton folk songs and dance with Michael MacNintch and John Loicano. Discover historic crochet and lacemaking with Deborah VanDieren of the Genesee Country Lace Guild.
NEW! Discover the ancient art of Celtic wheat weaving. Transform golden stalks of wheat into intricate Celtic designs in this hands-on craft.
Tea Tasting
Saturday, June 21 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Did you know that the Irish are second in the world (after Turkey) in tea consumption in kilograms per capita? Sip a delicious Irish tea while learning about the Irish cuppa, its history, and its traditions with Dr. Virginia Utermohlen Lovelace. Featuring Bewley’s Irish teas.
John L. Wehle Gallery at the Meeting Center
“Tartan & Plaid Mania!”
Saturday, June 21 | 1 – 2 p.m.
This curatorial talk traces the history and tradition that is plaid and tartan. How has this fabric taken the world by storm, and how has it changed over the ages? This talk is paired with exciting plaid and tartan items from 19th-century America. Hosted by curator Brandon Brooks in the Meeting Center.
Clan Booths
Chat with visiting clan representatives for more information on lineage, genealogy, tartan history, and a host of other topics!
- Clan Baird
- Clan Barclay
- Clan Ferguson
- Clan Hannay Society
- Clan Keith
- Clan Kerr of WNY
- Clan MacPherson Association
- Clan Masonic
- Clan Sinclair
- Clan Stewart
- Clan Wallace
- Cumming Society of the USA
- Daughters of Scotia, Lady Douglas Lodge #126
- House of Gordon USA
- MacNachtan Association Worldwide
- Scottish Heritage Society of Rochester
- Tartan Revisited
Mystical Adventures at the Nature Center
Visit the Nature Center at GCV&M during Celtic Faire to enjoy a self-guided hike along the Fairy Trail where visitors will find a Wishing Log, as well as several hands-on crafting opportunities including a station to make your own fairy dust, craft with found-objects, and enjoy color-changing lemonade and iced floral tea in our Fairy Circle!
Specialty Vendors
From delectable Welsh cookies to exquisite knotwork jewelry, and fairy paraphernalia to gorgeous knits, be sure to bring your màileid-pòca (wallet) when exploring our array of specialty vendors!
- Blue Toucan Studios
- Bristol Forest & Field Fibers
- Carriage House Creations
- Country Crafts Custom Woodworking
- Dacian Falx Leather
- Dottie’s Lemonade
- Dragon Moon Creations
- Elder Earth Candles & Woodwork
- Equestrian Heritage Society
- European Sheep Skins
- Goblin Parlour Games
- Goldenrod Fiber Studio
- The Haggis Hut
- HD Braids
- Hieber Creative Endeavors
- Infamous Welsh Cookie Co.
- Kim + Lilliana Designs
- Kona Ice of Genesee Valley
- KP’s Kettle Corn
- Lauren Rae Pottery
- Lazy Acres Alpacas
- Lilla Rose
- Lords of the Seas
- Marvelous Candle Creations
- Meadow Sparkles Fairy Hair
- Merikan Stronghold Meadery
- Once Again Nut Butter
- Rainbows & Wildflowers
- Rencraft
- SarKim Creations
- ScotlandShop
- Scottish Shortbread
- Scottish Store Online
- Spangler Forge
- Still Meadow Farms Soaps & Sundries
- Tangle of Thorns Art
- TeaLicious Trendz
- Thistle Hill Creations
- These Old Bones
- Travelin’ Tom’s Coffe of Genesee Valley
- Willa’s Woolies
- Yakisoba’s
Ticket Information
Museum Members | FREE
Adults: $23 online | $25 onsite
Seniors 62+ and Students 13-18: $20 online | $22 onsite
Youth (4 – 12): $17 online | $19 onsite
Age 3 & Under | FREE
GCV&M Member admission is FREE and guaranteed for this weekend. Click here to learn more about joining the Museum as a Member!
FAQs
Parking is free and plentiful! Park in any of the main lots at the front of the Museum. Please leave the first two bays available for handicapped parking.
Please have your ticket(s) either printed out OR pulled up on your phone screen and ready for scanning for quick and easy check-in. Pro-tip: take a screenshot of each of your tickets to have ready and pulled up on your phone screen! Please note: Wifi can sometimes be spotty at the front of the Museum.
Yes! This event is rain or shine. The Museum will only cancel in case of a severe weather emergency.
There are lots of park benches and picnic tables around the Museum Grounds. Feel free to bring a chair or blanket to sit on to watch the goings-on around the Great Meadow.
Please dress accordingly for the predicted weather conditions.
We recommend wearing a good pair of walking shoes – there is a lot to see and do, and surfaces in the Historic Village (brick paths, cobblestone, grass), can be uneven.
Yes! Leashed service animals are welcome with proper identification.
We’re sorry to hear that you’re not able to attend! Tickets may be refunded only up to 7 days prior to the event date and are strictly non-transferable by date, entry time, or program.
