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Each year we get asked many questions about the festival do's and don'ts, from guests, musicians, vendors and even our own volunteers and managers. This year we have added this page of frequently asked questions, or more importantly, frequently given answers, to help everyone. Who produces the festival?This North Texas Irish Festival is produced by the Southwest Celtic Music Association, a 501(c) Corporation based in Dallas, TX. Membership in the SCMA is open to anyone and full details can be found on the SCMA web site. When was the festival started?The North Texas Irish Festival started life as the First Texas Ceili held on March 5, 1983, at Nick Farrelly's Lounge on Oak Lawn (now Pappadeaux Seafood). In 1984 the SCMA was formed and moved the North Texas Irish Festival to the Cultural Arts building in Fair Park. We have expanded and move into various other buildings in the park since then. We settled in our present location in 2001 and are now the second largest event to be held in Fair Park. (The State Fair claims to be larger, but the Irish exaggerate a lot!) What hours are you open?The festival opening hours are as follows: Friday evening from 5:30 pm till 11:30
pm Can I bring my dog to the festival?Most certainly! In fact we encourage all our four legged friends to come out and enjoy the weekend festivities. We do ask, however, that you keep them on a short leash at all times, be wary of other dogs and small children, and do bring a supply of plastic bags to "clean up" after your pets. Can I wear my kilt?Well, without it you may embarrass the ladies! Yes, you may wear your kilt, your renaissance garb, your ethnic costume or whatever else you wish. In fact we encourage you to get into the spirit of the event. We do ask, however, that you dress tastefully and not "expose" more than you need to. Gentlemen in kilts especially, watch for those strong March winds! Knives and gunsKnives and guns will NOT be permitted inside the festival grounds. This includes swords and long knives worn as part of the ethnic dress. A small Sgian Dhub is acceptable. (If you don't know what that is you shouldn't have one!) Knives and swords may be purchased at certain authorized booths under the strict conditions posted at the booth. Can I bring my own food?Yes, but you must share with the festival staff! With all the excellent food and beverage vendors throughout the festival, there is little need to bring your own food in. Prices are reasonable, considering the taxes we have to pay, and the variety is exceptional. If you must bring your own hamburger and fries, you may do so. Due to TABC regulations, however, alcohol may not be brought into or taken out of the festival. Is the NTIF handicap accessible?Yes. There are small ramps at both entrances to assist you getting up the curb, plus we have additional gates where our security staff can assist. Once inside the grounds almost everything is on one flat surface. Can I buy tickets online?Yes. Tickets will be on sale on this web site starting in January 2005. There will be a small handling charge. Do you take credit cards?The SCMA accepts Visa and MasterCard only, for admission to the festival and for purchases made at the Performer Products and SCMA booths. Many of the vendors take various credit cards, but check with them first to avoid being disappointed. Can I get cash at the festival?Yes. We have two well stocked ATMs at the festival, one inside the center of the Automobile Building and the other adjacent to the Performer Products counter at the west end of Centennial Hall. Is there close-in parking?Parking at Fair Park is ample, and fairly close to the festival grounds. There will be a shuttle service to transport guests between the remote ends of the parking lot and the gate. Since this service is limited we do request that the young and the fit walk the short distance and leave space on the shuttle for others. There is a small fee for parking, which is regulated by Fair Park and the concession owners. The NTIF has no control over and receives no income from this fee. What if it rains?The festival is now 90% under cover, and in heated buildings, so the show will go on. If the weather is very uncooperative, certain activities or vendors will be relocated inside the buildings. What about snow & ice?We have worked hard over the past three years to totally weatherproof NTIF. We realize that March in Texas can deliver some pretty chilling weather, but we live with it. It is highly unlikely that we will cancel the event. If things look really bad we will work with our media partners to get the word out on radio, KDMX, KZPS, KDGE and KHKS. Can I take photographs?Photographs may be taken for personal use only. You may certainly take all the photos you want of the family drinking a Guinness and eating an Irish Stew on the lawns. You may also take photos of the vendors and other activities as long as you obtain permission. You may take a limited number of photos of the musicians as long as you remain away from the stage and do not use flash. If they ask you to stop, please do so. Access to the backstage areas is strictly prohibited. The making of any kind of audio recording of any of the entertainers is strictly prohibited, and is a violation of the performing rights owned by the musicians and the SCMA. How do you pronounce Celtic?When referring to the seven nations, their culture or their music, the word Celtic is pronounced with a hard "C", like Keltic. Only the sports teams, including Glasgow's famous Celtic soccer team, are pronounced with the soft "C", like Seltic. What are the Celtic Nations?The seven Celtic nations are at the extreme reaches of the original Roman Empire. They are the regions of Europe that were left unconquered by the Romans during the first Century, due mainly to the fierce resistance put up by the Celts and the relatively inhospitable lands that they occupied. The seven nations are Ireland; Scotland; Wales; the Isle of Man (a small island between England and Ireland); Cornwall (a county in the extreme west of England); Brittany and Galecia (a region of northern Spain). |
The North Texas Irish Festival is a production of the Southwest Celtic Music Association |
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