The Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau is tapping into the origins of Appalachian culture for a new, weekend-long celebration to kick off the special events season.
The inaugural Celtic Calling, an event for residents and visitors to experience the pillars of Irish and Scottish culture, will be held from March 4-6.
During a news conference announcing the event at the Copper Pint pub on Wednesday, Tim Brady, vice president of sales for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the event will "celebrate our Celtic heritage that our own Appalachian culture is so deeply rooted in." The bureau's goal, he said, was to create a "fun and vibrant weekend" for people after spending the winter months cooped up at home.
Charleston Area Alliance is helping market the event to local businesses.
Susan Salisbury, vice president of community development for the alliance, said it will encourage restaurants and bars downtown to offer an Irish or Scottish dish or have menu specials throughout the weekend. Downtown retailers can also participate in a Boutique Walk to bring in additional business on March 5.
"It's going to be a tough couple of months with the weather, and downtown is thrilled to be a part of it," Salisbury said.
One of the event's major staples will be the Celtic Calling Kilt 5K Run/Walk.
Alisa Bailey, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said this 5K will differ from others held in the city because it will begin at the corner of Morris and Smith streets, near Appalachian Power Park, and end at Spring Hill Cemetery. Partnering with Tri-State Racer, all proceeds from the 5K will go to Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery and Park, a volunteer group that helps maintain the cemetery and assist families struggling to pay for funeral and burial services for their loved ones.
Other aspects of the weekend focus on Celtic traditions, such as music sessions and workshops and a play writing competition.
The area group FOOTMAD, which stands for Friends of Old Time Music and Dance, will host the Scottish band Daimh (pronounced "dive") on March 5 at Capitol Theater as part of its annual spring Celtic concert. Tickets for that concert can be purchased at footmad.org.
On Sunday, families can participate in a bike tour that will run from Summers Street to the state Capitol.
Brady noted during the news conference that the same weekend as Celtic Calling, the Charleston Civic Center will also host the Mountain East Conference Opening for college basketball championships.
"The city will be full of athletes from around this region, and we're trying to incorporate that as much as we can ... to make sure students and fan bases know about the event," he said.
For more information about Celtic Calling or to register for the 5K, visit charlestonwv.com.
Reach Elaina Sauber at
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