Hoffman Estates’ first Celtic Fest Saturday
The village of Hoffman Estates is pleased to welcome the entire community to the inaugural Celtic Fest, which will be from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway.
Designed to celebrate Celtic heritage, Celtic Fest will include a Midwest Pipe Band Association Mini Band Competition, Celtic vendors, an indoor soccer tournament, a golf clinic, a climbing wall, delicious food, music, and a Scotch and beer tasting. The village invites you and your family to enjoy a full day of games, music, crafts and laughter.
Having the Celtic Fest in April coincides with the observance of Scottish Heritage Month, which was proclaimed by the Illinois General Assembly in 2011.
“Even residents who are not Celtic will enjoy this festival, because the activities appeal to a wide range of interests,” said Mayor William D. McLeod. McLeod is of both Irish and Scottish descent, and is excited to bring Celtic Fest to the community.
Celtic Fest Commission chairwoman Beth Raffety added, “It was important for the village to provide our community with an event the whole family can enjoy and participate in. This full day of fun is offered at no charge to enter or park.”
Soccer and golf activities: The Hoffman United Soccer Club will kick off the day with a soccer tournament. After the tournament, HUSC willhost a free soccer clinic for all skill levels. The clinic will provide coaching on dribbling, passing and shooting. There will also bethree-on-three mini games.
For those interested in the Celtic sport of golf, there will be a golf clinic, hosted by the Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club. The clinic will include driving range stations and putting greens on the Arena floor. Guest golfers will be able to brush up on their swing and putting techniques with one-on-one coaching by the pros.
Fundraiser: There will also be a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which is a childhood cancer charity. Hoffman Estates PoliceOfficer Pete Edgar and his wife, Sarah, are sponsoring a booth to raise funds and register shavees for their own St. Baldrick’s eventon May 12. Celtic Fest guests can sign up, buy promotional items or donate directly to St. Baldrick’s, but with a slight Celtictwist: participating guests can donate $10 to play a “Closest to the Pin” contest on a Golden Tee arcade game.
Mini Band Competition: A Mini Band Competition, sponsored by the Midwest Pipe Band Association, is a smaller version of a traditional Celtic pipe bandthat features bagpipes and percussion instruments. The day will end with a mass band finale and award presentation, which addspageantry to our special celebration.
The Sears Centre Arena is located in the “Poplar Creek at 59/90” Entertainment District in western Hoffman Estates. For a complete schedule of events and the latest festival updates, visit www.hoffmanestates.org/celtic, or call (847) 781-2606.
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