Celtic traditions shine proudly at Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury Gardens lush grounds fill once again with those unmistakable bagpipe sounds and spectacle during a revamped edition of its annual summer festival. This year the popular event’s scope has expanded to celebrate the vibrant traditions of Long Island’s thriving Celtic communities.

Besides those pipers, traditional competitions and highland dancing — along with plenty of entertainment and assorted activities for lads and lasses — there’s much end of summer revelry to enjoy. Everyone will be fully occupied all day, next Saturday, Aug. 24.

This year Old Westbury Gardens staff is hosting solo (without participation from longtime co-hosts Long Island Clan MacDuff). The result is an energized refresh.

“Rather than focusing just on the culture of Scotland, we [wanted to] expand it a little bit so that we could avail ourselves of all of the great Irish bands and step dancers and all of these those things that span both the Scottish and the Irish cultures,” says Maura Brush, Old Westbury Gardens CEO and director.

Pipe and drum bands will fill the air with stirring music transporting attendees to those rolling hills of Ireland and Scotland. An extensive diverse lineup of musical and Irish dance entertainment complements these bands that participate yearly.

Headlining the festival this year, Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones bring the classic tradition of Irish balladry into a new age. Lead singer, the famed songwriter-storyteller Derek Warfield, is a legend of the Irish music scene who enjoyed phenomenal success for some 40 years with the Wolfe Tones. He’s now gathered some of the finest Irish musicians and singers together to reinvigorate beloved Irish tunes. They bring their musical tradition forward with a reverence for Ireland’s past and the energy and optimism of a new generation.

“Their sound is what so many people probably expect to hear when they come to Old Westbury Gardens,” Brush says.
Harper’s Ferry, a popular local Irish-American folk band also participates, with their appealing mix of traditional and modern Irish tunes combined with Americana and classic rock.

“Our band members are all native Long Islanders with a deep appreciation for local historical sites, especially Old Westbury Gardens,” says s Harper’s Ferry frontman Martin Kearn. “We see each performance as a blessing to spread our passion for Irish and Scottish heritage with the community.”

Other performers include bagpiper-percussionist Jessie Ofgang and soloist Charlie Zahm, who entices audiences with his instrumental prowess and rich baritone. Both have their own unique twist on bringing Celtic culture to melody.

“Their instruments are meant to be played outside in the green fields and we just have the perfect place,” Brush enthuses.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Celtic festival without some rhythmic Irish step dancing. The skilled dancers from four distinguished Irish dance academies will impress with their incredible footwork.

As is tradition, what are known as the Highland Games remain one of the festival’s main elements.The games continue to test athletes’ strength in heavyweight contests that date back centuries, especially the caber toss.

The caber is a long, tapered pine pole or log. The “tosser” balances it vertically by holding the smaller end and then runs forward and tosses it so that it turns in the air with the larger end striking the ground first. Ideally, the pole strikes in a strictly vertical position, and the athletes are scored based on how closely the throw lands at a 12 o’clock position.

Think of it as throwing a telephone pole according to Brush. “It’s a giant log that gets thrown, and then the distance is measured, and whoever throws the throws it the furthest is the winner,” she says.
For the experienced competitor, these logs can be heavier than 125 pounds and longer than 20 feet long.

Tossing the Sheaf and Putting the Stone also attract attention.

Tossing the Sheaf involves flinging a bale of hay over a horizontal pole with a large pitchfork. Putting The Stone, is similar to the traditional Olympic-style shot put, but uses a large stone.
Want to get in on the competition? Visitors are encouraged to go for it.

“There are professionals that will be coming but there are opportunities for amateurs to sign up and participate as well,” Brush adds.

After all that exertion, folks are bound to work up an appetite. Take a moment and check out the food offerings, including fish and chips and Scottish shortbread.

It’s always a fun-filled family day with other unique experiences, including a Birds of Prey exhibition, British automobile showcase, and even curling hosted by the Long Island Curling Club. Kids will enjoy plenty of activities, including a version of the caber toss with lightweight “cabers” and an old-fashioned tug of war.

All involved are eager to welcome both older and newer generations, to preserve the fetival’s rich history.

“We’re not just relying on those who have always come, but also want people who are checking it out for the first time. This can become a new tradition for them,” Brush says.