Over the years, my travels in Canada had never taken me further east than Ontario, except for the grade eight field trip to Expo 67 in Montreal. I can’t count that because the most I remember of it is trying to win big ugly glassware on the fairgrounds by tossing dimes into them—I remember carrying around a bag full of these things. And, causing our chaperones grief. I have numerous times experienced the beauty of our Pacific coast and have had an opportunity to visit many of Canada’s most remote communities on our north coast. Until 2018, however, I had never visited our Atlantic coast. I have written about some of the amazing places I visited in our eastern provinces in other areas of this site. I loved every place I stopped at and repeated many times, “I could live here.” There is one place in-particular, however, that I will return to, and not just for its beauty, but for an event that I need to attend again. In-fact, if I could only attend one event ever again, it would be this one. The place is Cape Breton Island and the event in the Celtic Colours International Festival.
We Canadians are known for our friendliness, our hospitality and our generosity. Having worked in the tourism industry for the past 3 1/2 years, I am frequently complimented for sharing those merits with international travelers. But, the folks on Cape Breton Island are among the friendliest, most generous, most hospitable people I have ever met.
An example of that generosity was radically demonstrated when I was searching for a ticket to a concert in Whycocomagh. (note: tickets for Celtic Colours concerts start selling out months in advance). First-of-all, a complete stranger, a native of Whycocomagh, went the extra mile to put me in touch with someone that might know where I could get a ticket. That person in turn directed to me to one of the organizers of the event who told me the concert was sold out. He then pulled out his wallet and gave me the ticket for his seat. Front row centre. And, it was one of the best performances I had ever seen. I am undeniably a huge fan of Celtic music and the band from Ireland had the whole place rockin’. Rura is the name of the band. Check them out on you tube.
Okay then. The festival.
The nine-day event held in October each year coincides with the dramatic explosion of colour that blankets the island, transforming the landscape into a living, breathing painting. Unlike most festivals that utilize one location as its venue, the Celtic Colours International Festival is an island wide affair. Music concerts are performed nightly in numerous communities around the island. And the evening’s festivities don’t end there. Each night, many of the musicians from these performances travel to the Gaelic College on the Cabot Trail to perform at what could be the most well attended late night kitchen party that starts at 11 p.m. They even serve an early morning breakfast. After the concert in Whycocomagh, I drove an hour myself to take in some more great music while enjoying a couple of cold beverages.
Music isn’t the only attraction during the festival. There are traditional dance demonstrations, story-telling get-togethers, jam sessions, community hosted feasts, craft workshops and too many more events to list here. You can read about my own experience, a fiddle and guitar lesson with Dwayne Cote, an internationally renowned musician in Everyone Has a Story - Dwayne Cote.
If you are looking to get away on a Canadian adventure in October, I would highly suggest a visit to Cape Breton Island for the Celtic Colours International Festival. It is one event that I feel comfortable in guaranteeing a great time will be had. You will need to plan ahead, however, as accommodation and event tickets sell out early.
Go to: celtic-colours.com for a comprehensive overview of the festival.
We Canadians are known for our friendliness, our hospitality and our generosity. Having worked in the tourism industry for the past 3 1/2 years, I am frequently complimented for sharing those merits with international travelers. But, the folks on Cape Breton Island are among the friendliest, most generous, most hospitable people I have ever met.
An example of that generosity was radically demonstrated when I was searching for a ticket to a concert in Whycocomagh. (note: tickets for Celtic Colours concerts start selling out months in advance). First-of-all, a complete stranger, a native of Whycocomagh, went the extra mile to put me in touch with someone that might know where I could get a ticket. That person in turn directed to me to one of the organizers of the event who told me the concert was sold out. He then pulled out his wallet and gave me the ticket for his seat. Front row centre. And, it was one of the best performances I had ever seen. I am undeniably a huge fan of Celtic music and the band from Ireland had the whole place rockin’. Rura is the name of the band. Check them out on you tube.
Okay then. The festival.
The nine-day event held in October each year coincides with the dramatic explosion of colour that blankets the island, transforming the landscape into a living, breathing painting. Unlike most festivals that utilize one location as its venue, the Celtic Colours International Festival is an island wide affair. Music concerts are performed nightly in numerous communities around the island. And the evening’s festivities don’t end there. Each night, many of the musicians from these performances travel to the Gaelic College on the Cabot Trail to perform at what could be the most well attended late night kitchen party that starts at 11 p.m. They even serve an early morning breakfast. After the concert in Whycocomagh, I drove an hour myself to take in some more great music while enjoying a couple of cold beverages.
Music isn’t the only attraction during the festival. There are traditional dance demonstrations, story-telling get-togethers, jam sessions, community hosted feasts, craft workshops and too many more events to list here. You can read about my own experience, a fiddle and guitar lesson with Dwayne Cote, an internationally renowned musician in Everyone Has a Story - Dwayne Cote.
If you are looking to get away on a Canadian adventure in October, I would highly suggest a visit to Cape Breton Island for the Celtic Colours International Festival. It is one event that I feel comfortable in guaranteeing a great time will be had. You will need to plan ahead, however, as accommodation and event tickets sell out early.
Go to: celtic-colours.com for a comprehensive overview of the festival.
