SPIRITS NOT DAMPENED BY 2024 AUSTRALIAN CELTIC FESTIVAL’S UNPRECEDENTED WET WEATHER DISRUPTIONS

The 2024 Australian Celtic Festival was a remarkable success, drawing in approximately 5,000 people to Glen Innes Highlands for the weekend, despite the challenging wet weather conditions that forced event organisers into Plan B mode on the fnal day of festivities.

A record number of festivalgoers focked to the Australian Standing Stones National Celtic Monument on Saturday to enjoy a Celtic celebration like no other. The event featured a jam-packed program of attractions and entertainment with pleasant weather conditions until the rain set in that afternoon.

Following more rain overnight, a decision was made to assess Sunday’s events and relocate part of the program’s entertainment and ceremonies to other venues, ensuring the show could go on.

Local business Glen Innes Bus Services played a key part in ensuring continued support for the stalls that remained trading at the festival grounds that day, kindly transporting ticketholders from various locations around Glen Innes to the Standing Stones.

The festival organisers expressed their gratitude for the understanding and fexibility demonstrated by vendors, performers, contractors, and patrons impacted by the change in plans due to the unfavourable weather conditions.

Given the circumstances, the unprecedented spike in the festival’s Saturday attendee numbers was somewhat of a relief.

Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Rob Banham said Council is delighted with record attendance at the 2024 Australian Celtic Festival.

“Spirits were not dampened by the challenging weather at the 2024 Australian Celtic Festival. Despite the rain, the resilience of our town and the unwavering support from businesses and attendees truly shone through, making this festival a memorable success,” Cr Banham said.

Glen Innes Severn Council Coordinator of Economic Development and Tourism Rhonda Bombell said Council has been inundated with positive feedback following the festival.

“Council has received many congratulations from businesses and attendees who empathise with the diffcult decisions and the speed in which alternative arrangements were made, highlighting our town’s resilience and commitment from businesses and Council to the festival,” Ms Bombell said.

Council extends its sincere thanks to The Glen Innes Services Club and its dedicated staff, Pinknoize Audio and the talented performers of the festival for their invaluable support of the revised entertainment program.

To help shape future events, Glen Innes Severn Council is asking for anyone who attended the festival to partake in a short 5-minute online feedback survey: www. surveymonkey.com/r/ ACF2024

The 2025 Australian Celtic Festival and fringe events will take place 1-4 May 2025, with tickets on sale from 3 March.

Keen festivalgoers are already booking their accommodation in advance for the festival’s 33rd year, which will highlight the Celtic nations of Brittany, Cornwall & Wales.