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year it’s really taken o .”
Eberhardy hails from Milwaukee,
but his mother’s family is part of the infamous Bruce clan in Scotland. He loved learning about his heritage, and also appreciated that Milwaukee held festivals all summer long, pretty much every week. There were festivals cele- brating Italian, German, and Irish her- itages, and when Eberhardy moved to Montana, he wondered if he couldn’t do the same here.
He attended the rst Bitterroot Scot- tish Irish Festival held in Hamilton in 2010, and participated in the Highland Games there. Those include traditional Celtic festival contests, such as the caber toss and hammer throw.
Going to that festival and playing the games of his forefathers and foremoth- ers awoke a feeling that Eberhardy hadn’t had since childhood.
“I had that feeling like I’m a little kid again,” he said. “And I wanted to do it up here.”
Starting the festival here was in part to get that feeling back, he said, but largely because he wanted his own daughters, ages 8 and 11, to understand it and have it as well.
“I wanted to do it for my girls,” he said. “That’s the whole point.”
The festival is also a great time to learn more about Celtic history or even your own roots. People within the clan tents will pore over ancestry look- ing for connections, Eberhardy said,
and celebrate when they nd them. The Friends of the Irish Studies in the West group will be in attendance, as well as the Montana Gaelic Cultural Society, to answer questions and give presentations.
Musical performers will be on stage all day, and this year’s lineup includes new faces, such as the Spokane-based Broken Whistle headlining the show at 5:30 p.m. Local favorites, such as Tra le Gael, will also perform. The Parade of Clans begins at noon, and the Kalispell Irish Dancers take the stage at 4:30 p.m.
All are welcome at the Flathead Celtic Festival, especially those with- out Celtic heritage. Sharing histories is an important part of building a con- temporary community, because it helps its members understand more about each other.
But, as Eberhardy makes sure to mention, it’s also a chance to hang out in the Flathead on what he hopes will be a sunny day, drinking beer and wine and playing games. Because that in itself is a way to build the connections that become our lives, writing our own histories in places and ways our ances- tors never dreamed.
“It’s just a matter of nding roots,” Eberhardy said.
For more information on the Flat- head Celtic Festival, including how to sign up for the Highland Games, visit www. atheadcelticfestival.com.
mpriddy@ atheadbeacon.com
THE MARQUEE WHAT TO READ, SEE AND APPRECIATE GLACIER SYMPHONY LAUNCHES SEASON
Celebra ng Pa ent Centered Care with the Community
Wednesday, September 7th from 3 to 8 PM Under the tents at North Valley Hospital 1600 Hospital Way, White sh
Experience the many aspects that make North Valley Hospital so unique & appreciated by our pa ents and visitors, plus informa on and resources on:
Women’s & Men’s Health including da Vinci Robot demonstra ons
The Birth Center, Behavioral Health, Orthopedics and much more
Complementary therapies including massage, pet, & acupuncture
Other community Wellness and Mental Health organiza ons
PLUS...
Kids ac vi es
Refreshments prepared by the Valley Café
Live music from harpist Katy Meyers and in the evening, Marshall Catch
Learn how to access Pa ent Portals for North Valley Hospital and Clinics
(electronic medical and nancial records)
Interac ve displays, tours, ra es, and more!
For more informa on call (406) 863-3632 | www.nvhosp.org
A di erent kind of hospital. A di erent kind of care.
You are invited!
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
41
WITH JOHN DENVER TRIBUTE
Glacier Symphony and Chorale will launch its Cosmic Vibrations concert series on Sept. 17 and 18 with The Very Best of John Denver: A Symphony Pops concert that showcases the dynamic, versatile range of the orchestra and will feature one of Broadway’s most revered tenors, Mike Eldred.
“It’s a perfect show to launch our 34th
concert season,” said GSC Music Director
and conductor John Zoltek. “It follows on
our successful summer season of concerts;
July’s Summer Pops concert at Rebecca
Farm and the week long Festival Amadeus
that wrapped up in August. This perform-
ing ensemble of musicians has such an
incredibly wide range, from the complex-
ities of classical to the very singable music of John Denver. It is a joy to lead them on these musical journeys!”
Mike Eldred will lend his soaring lyrical voice to an exceptional orchestra scoring of John Denver’s greatest hits. The concerts will be held at White sh Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. followed on Sept. 18 with a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. Visit the web- site www.gscmusic.org to learn more about the season and purchase tickets or call 406-407-7000.
If you would like to be featured in the “Marquee,” email information to news@ atheadbeacon.com
