The Celtic Festival, our favorite event in Nevada County’s yearly calendar, will be here in a few days.

I’m sorry not to see Dougie MacLean in this year’s schedule, but there’s still a rich lineup of amazing talent.

Here are some artists who will be appearing at the Celtic Festival at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley this weekend. These video clips are from earlier concerts in other venues.

Good Lord, this first song — by the Elders — has some great archetypal Irish themes: a couple of mischievous lads, bless their hearts,  blew up their school — St. Brendan’s, where Sister Josephine ran a tight ship — and maybe blew themselves up to boot!

Or maybe — after blowing up the school —  they just went fishing!

The Elders playing “Packy Go Home:”

And here’s the great Scottish fiddler, Alasdair Fraser, joined by California cellist, Natalie Haas.

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, in a gorgeous blend of Celtic fiddle and Celtic cello!