BROWNSVILLE TN (SEPTEMBER 7, 2016):

Tuatha Dea, an award-winning Celtic rock band from Gatlinburg, Tenn., will be the headliner act at this year’s Celtic Fest September 17 and 18. The annual festival will be held on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville and will include a variety of regional performers, re-enactors and demonstrations throughout the two day event. Activities begin at 10 a.m. each day.

“Tuatha Dea is a family band with ties to Jackson,” says Bobby Bates, Celtic Society of West Tennessee president. “Their use of primitive drums blends with instruments such as guitars and Native American flutes to create an authentic sound and feel that draws the audience in.”

Conceived by Danny Millikin and his wife, Rebecca, Tuatha Dea includes their children and extended family members. The band’s name is adopted from an old Irish phrase that means “Children of the Gods.” Together they have created a Celtic drum circle sound accented by their flamboyant and energetic stage presence, complete with costumes. Attendees can experience their performances Saturday at 1:45 and 7 p.m., as well as 4 p.m., on Sunday.
Tuatha Dea currently has four albums to its credit and has toured with groups such as Seven Nations, Celtica, Raithkelter, Soar Patrol, Wendy Rule and many others while performing all over the U. S. and Canada. After winning first place in the Hard Rock Rising competition in Pigeon Forge last year, Tuatha Dea went on to place 15th at the worldwide contest that included over 10,000 bands.

“We are excited that Tuatha Dea will also be performing for our local high school students,” says Brownsville Chamber Director, and festival emcee, Steve Hilton. “This is a great opportunity for us to share our Celtic heritage with the youth while presenting them with an unforgettable show.”

Haywood High School students will get a treat Friday when the Brownsville Arts Council and the Chamber of Commerce present Tuatha Dea in a special “Arts in Education Week” performance.

“Because our mission is to cultivate the arts within the community, we are elated to present Tuatha Dea at Haywood High School as a preface to the upcoming Celtic Fest, “ says Arts Council Director Achana Jarrett. “The student’s exposure and the performance promises to be very impressive.”

Festivalgoers will also enjoy Northeast Arkansas Caledonian Drum and Pipe performers, the Birdsong School of Music Harps, Cara-Anne and the Minstrels, clogging by Sarah Rohde, Terrie K, Rob Millette, Catherine Koehler, John and Vickie Lecroy and Bobby and Sue Bates.
The Society for Creative Anachronism, an organization dedicated to researching and recreating pre-17th century European history will be onsite with an encampment that allows attendees to experience a little of what life was like during the Middle Ages.
The Celtic Society of West Tennessee is based in Jackson. Volunteers donate their time to create an authentic, family-friendly experience that includes Celtic food, music, one-of-a-kind merchandise and demonstrations. Celtic Fest is the primary fundraiser for the non-profit group who raises money each year for worthy causes throughout West Tennessee.

Admission is $6 per person, per day, or $5 with a nonperishable food donation. Children 12 and under are free. This is a rain or shine, family-friendly event.

For more information and complete Celtic Fest schdeule, please contact Bobby or Sue Bates at 731-845-5521, or visit the website: www.celticsocietyofwtn.org.

(Photo Caption): Tuatha Dea, the Celtic gypsy rock band from Gatlinburg, Tenn., will headline the 11th Annual Celtic Fest to be held September 17-18, in Brownsville, Tenn.