Privateers of the Dauntless
The Privateers of the Dauntless are dedicated to the preservation and education of maritime history of the 16th and 17th centuries. The Private Man-O-War Dauntless, is a representation of a late 1500's armed square rigged ship. Our presentation is centered around the stern castle and a 50-foot tall, working main mast with upper and lower yard arms, rigging and sails. You'll be enchanted by historical educational performances of maritime life and skills as you walk the wood planked raised quarter deck of the Dauntless.

www.dauntlessprivateers.org

Magni Corps Highland Games

The Celtic Festival is proud to welcome back Magni Corps Throwers - northern California’s premier Highland Heavy Games. There will be stones toss, hammer and weights for distance, sheaf and of course the ever-famous tossing of the caber.

Magni Corps Highland Games are an elite group of Scottish athletes gathered under one banner for the common goal of improving our personal throws, teaching newcomers skills and techniques, and sharing the history of the games. Since its inception in 2006 Magni Corps has improved the throws of its athletes by combining a rigorous training program which includes weight lifting, speed drills and hands on implement training.

www.magnicorps.com

Royal Saint Gyles and Court of Mary, Queen of Scots
The Royal Saint Gyles Actors Guild is a living history reenactment group that creates the Royal Military and the Royal Court of Mary, Queen of Scots, in the years from 1561-1566. The setting is the travels of the Scottish Queen through the lowland and highland villages of Scotland in the early part of her reign.

St. Gyles presents a reenactment of a Royal Military encampment and court. Visitors are encouraged to meet the Queen, take pictures, meet and talk with guild members and participate in Scottish activities and games.

www.stgyles.org

Harvest Home Revelers

The members of The Harvest Home Revelers guild dig up all the information they can find about the medieval and Renaissance observances of ancient agrarian cycles of harvest and planting, then invest a great deal of energy and fun in re-enacting the “revels”, honoring life, death and re-birth in the year of a farming community.

The entire troupe parades daily through the Celtic Village singing and playing instruments, stopping to engage the audience in dramatic re-enactment and ribaldry. Look for a warm welcome at the guild's "Golden Queen Inn." Harvest Home Revelers’ presents "The Goddesses of the Celts a musical and theatrical honoring of the Celtic goddesses Bridget and Morrigan in the "Theater of Ancient Tales" is offered at 4PM both Saturday and Sunday.

Look for a warm welcome at the Harvest Home Pavilion in the Re-enactment area (near Gate 4).

Clan Galbraith

Clan Galbraith is an entertainment troupe that portrays 15th/16th Century Scottish Highland Mercenaries. Our members come from all walks of life and backgrounds and enjoy sharing history through entertainment. Life in the Highlands was never easy, especially in the Grampian Mountains. Due to the constant conflicts in the region, many of the leaders were either killed or deported from Scotland’s borders. As a matter of survival, Clan Galbraith became a mercenary band; adopting other orphans and outcasts, and arming women. All able bodied Galbraith must be ready to fight; fore it truly was a matter of life or death. Clan Galbraith features include: weapons and chain maille, falconers, archery, and exhibition sword fighting.

www.freewebs.com/clangalbraith

Foothill Fibers Guild of Nevada County

Foothill Fibers Guild of Nevada County was formed in 1980. The group includes weavers, spinners, basket weavers, knitters and other fiber artists who use primarily natural fibers. They are continuing the ancient fiber traditions of the Celtic world processing raw fibers from the animal or plant; creating yarn; and then knitting, crocheting, weaving and felting it into cloth and in some cases to wearable items. Some members raise sheep, alpaca, angora rabbits or angora goats for the fleece that they spin and dye for their projects. Their main objectives are to promote greater interest in the fiber arts, to exchange ideas, and act as a source of inspiration for each other.

www.foothillfibersguild.org

Portcullis Players
The Portcullis Players is a group dedicated to bringing the flavor of Scotland / England of the 16th Century into the 21st at renaissance faires, living history venues, wineries, and other festivals wanting to create a renaissance period flair. They portray the people, crafts, and entertainers of the time with costumes, props, and pavilions.

www.portcullisplayers.org

The House of Swindon Guild

The House of Swindon is a theatrical, historical, educational reenactment troupe. We represent the English renaissance period and portray the Historical Manners/Rutland family. We visit schools and library's, we have done weddings and fundraisers. We focus on interacting with the general public, street theater and improv.

www.thehouseofswindon.com

Clann Fraser
This group of re-enactors portrays the Highlands of Scotland as they were in the 1500’s. They have researched extensively to recreate this time accurately. Lord Hugh Fraser, Earl of Lovat, is the chief of Clann Fraser. Anddra Magnus Macpherson is chief of the Macpherson clan. Well respected by both friend and foe alike, he is heir to the clan holdings. After attending St. Andrews in Edinborough, Anddra returned home to the Hielands to defend his clan from Macintosh raids. Pol Ross was born on a croft but now makes his living as a mercenary in the employ of Lord Fraser. His wife, Lorna Ross nee Troy, comes from a Norman family that immigrated to Ireland. Each re-enactor can share centuries of their history and demonstrate the skills necessary to stay alive in the 16th century.

The League of Robin Goodfellow
The League of Robin Goodfellow is on hand to enchant festival-goers of all ages by bringing the magic and mystery of the Faery faith. This group highlights the spiritual and cultural beliefs of Celtic people. Historically, Celts paid all possible tribute to the Faeries to entreat their good will, for the Fae could grant abundant harvest, safe childbirth and great fortune. A little food for the faeries, a little water by the door, a hearty Good morrow or even a child's smile may be just the thing to entice a Faery blessing!

www.leagueofrobingoodfellow.com

Saint Ita's of Cill Ide

Saint Ita's of Cill Ide reenact the daily lives of nobility in the mid-1600s during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots. They emphasize women's lives and how the laws and morals of the time affected them. Saint Ita's share their passion for the era presenting little-know facts and stories. Their interactions give a glimpse into the past with presentations that include games, stories, leather making, embroidery, feasting, weaponry and more.

www.stitasguild.weebly.com

Manmaze Celtic Stone

Martin is demonstrating traditional European stone carving. His inspiration is the historical Celtic standing stones and Celtic crosses from Ireland & Scotland, as well as , the La Tène Art known for it's spiral artwork and the illuminated manuscripts painted by Irish monks in the medieval period. His intricately carved relief's are all hand sculpted from natural stones such as sandstone, limestone,marble and granite. This years group includes a spoon maker and a stave carver.

Merloch Silvermaine

A Seer, Sage, Sorcerer, and Storyteller whose magic is not about tricks but about life. He performs card tricks so mind-bendingly good that you're likely to stay up an extra hour trying to figure out how he did it. Silvermaine does what great magicians do - he reduces cynical adults to a state of wonder.

Castlewood Guild

Castlewood re-enactment guild portrays the household of Anthony Browne, Viscount Montague and his family. A noble must travel in style and that entails a large establishment all working to maintain the comfort and appearances of their masters. From the Lord to the Scullery maid, everyone knows their place and their duties to maintain the proper order of life and society.

www.castlewoodguild.org

The Diamond Rose Academie d’Armes

Diamond Rose Academie d'Armes school of fencing, the Huguenot Guards and Guild are dedicated to teaching and promoting an appreciation of the fundamental techniques and core principles of the Western European Martial Art of historical fencing. We teach safety, courtesy and honor above all else. We study and practice the fighting systems from the 15th through the 17th centuries, with an emphasis on the short sword and historical rapier combat www.diamondroseacademie.org . Students learn the use of the rapier and short sword and the use of secondary. We have classes in Nevada City, Marysville, and Auburn. We will offer an introduction to our art to the public at this amazing event, as well as test our skills against several schools and fencers from around the state, in tournaments and enjoy melee games and other historical activities.

"Honor Above All"

www.diamondroseacademie.org

Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan is a historical re-enactment group named after the Scottish shore where the “Young Pretender” landed in 1745. The Rebellion of 1745 was intended to restore Bonnie Prince Charlie to the throne, but ended in disarray and bloody defeat at Culloden (in 1746). He escaped to France with the help of Flora MacDonald and lived comfortably in exile. Glenfinnan represents the people and life style of that time era. Clothing, weapons, songs and tools of that era are displayed to teach and entertain the community about those turbulent times.

Glenfinnan is a historical re-enactment group named after the shores in Scotland where Prince Charles Stewart landed in July 1745. It started an uprising that changed the history of Scotland forever, and ended with the battle of Culloden April 16th 1746. Glenfinnan is a non-military group but would fight for Scotland if the call ever came, thus we are known as Jacobites. (Bonnie Prince Charlie) (1720 - 1788) The "Young Pretender", grandson of James VII of Scotland (James II of England), who was exiled by William of Orange. The French-backed Jacobites Rebellion of 1745 was intended to restore him to the throne, but ended in disarray and bloody defeat at Culloden (in 1746). He escaped to France with the help of Flora MacDonald and lived comfortably in exile. He died, despondent and a drunk, and is buried in St. Peter's, Rome.

Thistle House Actors Guild

Thistle House portrays the people of the Isle of Mann and all those that land upon its shores. They are an historical re-enactment guild which trains members in the ways of a Renaissance actor and promotes the teaching of history to our young at heart. Welcoming all those willing to learn how to portray people of that time period and experience history as an actor in an actual reconstructed encampment at a Renaissance Fair. They peasants, crafters, merchants, warriors, sailors, people of the Isles, nobles, Knights, Dames, and Royalty.

www.thistlehouse.tripod.com

Ceilidh and Contra Dance Workshops

Before discos and nightclubs, there were ceilidhs in most town and village halls on Friday or Saturday nights. Learn traditional Gaelic social dance originating in Ireland and Scotland to a backdrop of cheerful and lively fiddle, flute, tin whistle, accordion bodhran and other instruments.