Celtic music fans can handle the rain, organizers learned during the annual Water Valley Traditional Celtic Folk Music Festival on June 23.More than 900 people pushed through the gates to listen to 75 acts performing at 10 different venues set up within the community.Numbers were down slightly from last year's record-breaking 1,100 attendees, but Carrie Jamieson, one of the organizers, was impressed.“We were shocked that so many came,” said Jamieson, explaining the rain came down heavily for most of the day Saturday.Typically a one-day festival, this year Andy Donnelly from CKUA radio came out Friday night to host the Celtic Show at the Water Valley Saloon.“We heard a few stories the next day from people who listened to the show Friday night and decided to come out to Water Valley on Saturday because of it,” said Jamieson. She said the festival, which showcases musicians, dancers and storytellers, is one of the best-kept secrets in Alberta and helping to get the word out with the radio show was a huge benefit.“This was the year of the youth,” said Jamieson, echoing the words of the artistic director, Dave Settles. She said there was an increase in younger acts that came out, which she said adds great variety.“We have everyone from starts to professionals, which makes the festival so successful,” she said.Also new this year was the picnic shelter located west of the community hall, which provided a sheltered performance area. Jamieson said it was constructed from funds raised from previous years and the committee will be working on making that location more of a focal point next year.Plans for next year's festival have already started to get underway. She said the group is meeting next week to get things going for the festival that always runs the last weekend in June.
