Spring Events
Springfest 2006 and Beltane 2006 are just around the corner. Springfest this year will be hosted by the four worlds if Celtia, the Americas, Egypt, and Rome. Celtia is extremely proud to be kicking off Springfest on April 20th! The proposed Celtia events are A Four-World (Celtia, Egypt, Rome and The Americas) Bragging Rights Scenario, a
Potent Potables quiz Celtic style, a Kingly Celt quiz, and a tour of selected Celtia neighborhoods. If you would like to volunteer to help with one of these events, please see the Springfest in Celtia - April 20, 2006.
In addition to the Bragging Rights contest proposed, there are at least two other global events in planning stages. The Four-Worlds Rock Art Tour will showcase rock art from the four host words. Rock art sites and graphics are needed as are volunteers. For more information, please see the Four-Worlds Rock Art Tour Help Wanted post on the Springfest in Celtia - April 20, 2006 thread or contact Fedelm Cruithni or Mangas Cochise.
A Trading Spaces event has been proposed. Details are still being put together with ideas and volunteers needed. For information, please start with the Trading Spaces... Them vs US post on the Global Springfest '06 planning thread or contact either Katlyne MacRoth or Laurels Curius.
Tentatively slated for the end of April - first part of May is Beltane 2006. Celtia's excellent scribes, Fedelm, Katlyn, and MacMorna, are meeting soon to firm up dates. Ideas for events are needed as are volunteers. watch the Planning for Beltane 2006 for more information and to sign up to volunteer or speak with one of Celtia's scribes.
Erin Go Bragh
St. Patrick's Day is upon us once again. March 17th brings the wearing of the green, shamrocks, corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and parades. The first St. Patrick's Day parade was held March 17, 1762 in New York City, New York. Irish soldiers in the English military stationed in the US, marched through New York City playing music. Following this, over a span of three or four decades, Irish immigrants in societies such as the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick would hold
parades featuring drums and bagpipes.
By the mid-eighteenth century in the US, with the potato famine
bringing scores of Irish immigrants to America, the Irish were looked down upon as the lowest of the low. Thousands had difficulty finding even the most menial of jobs. During St. Patrick's Day parades, it was
not uncommon for newspapers to depict the Irish as drunken, cartoonish louts.
Irish Americans soon began realizing the strength of their numbers. St. Patrick's Day parades were both a show of strength and political venues. The Irish vote carried enough clout it became an important
swing vote for many politicians and this voting block became known as the Green Machine. Being seen at a St. Patrick's Day parade became a must for political candidates.
Today, Ireland and the United States have well known celebrations but one can find them all over the world such as in Japan and Russia. No matter where it's being celebrated, those attending represent a wide
and varied cultural background. On March 17th everyone is Irish for the day.
Celtic Gems
A thread that does not get nearly the attention it should is Living in Celtia. This thread, begun by Ladee Niall after a conversation with Flidais Niafer, is for posting Celtic themed resources for backgrounds, clip art, avatars, names, fonts, and anything else to enhance the Celtia experience.
With St. Patrick's Day practically here, this is a great time to call attention to Limerick Corner. Be they funny, serious, or out and out groaners, let your green come through with a limerick. If you feel more global, make it a haiku with a St. Paddy's theme.
A third highly worthwhile thread to take time over is History of the Celts. The thread is a treasure trove of posted news articles, links, research, and opinion. This little gem is definately worth the time to read through or, even better, post to.
