Cary, NC - The Amphitheatre at Regency Park in Cary will host the 1^st Annual Harp and Highland Fest on Saturday, September 14. The festival is an all day event offering live music, entertainment and activities for the whole family. Tickets for the Celtic festival go on sale Saturday, July 27 at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets.

The Harp and Highland Fest will feature many Scottish and Irish musicians including the Saw Doctors, Ireland’s best selling musical group, Neil Anderson and Friends, Cathie Ryan, Richard Wood and more. The festival will offer multiple stages and booths for music, Scottish and Irish dances, arts and crafts, Scottish clans and of course, there will be ample beer for the true Celtic connoisseur. Bring the whole family since children 12 and under will be admitted for free and special activities for all ages will be provided in the "wee folk glen," including arts and crafts, dancing and traditional storytelling.

The Harp and Highland Fest is the first of its kind in the Triangle. The festival allows people to explore their Celtic roots or simply join in a day of celebration of music, friends, family, culture and more. "We want the community to experience diversity and appreciate the heritage of all cultures," said Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Director for the Town of Cary. "The Celtic festival is the perfect place for family and friends to join together for an affordable, full day of fun."

A top seller in Ireland, the Saw Doctors built their rootsy tales around sturdy American acoustic rock that dares you not to dance and sing along. From country to punk, pop and rock, the Saw Doctors integrate all of their favorite genres of music from around the world, while still incorporating their Celtic roots. One writer from England’s Q magazine admits, "The Saw Doctors are the very definition of the people’s band." Eric Boehlert of Rolling Stone magazine best describes the band’s formula as one part Creedence, one part Hootie and one part Irish Historical Society according to his Saw Doctor’s review in August 1999. Being much less political than U2 and more sober than the Pogues, The Saw Doctors take family fun to whole new level. The Saw Doctors hold the distinction of best selling single ever released in Ireland, "I Useta Lover," which outsold U2, Sinead O’Connor and the Corrs. In February, the band released their fifth, most culturally diverse studio album, Villains.

Neil Anderson is one of the original members of America’s most commercially successful Celtic rock band, Seven Nations. Anderson is an amazing Highland piper with his versatility, unique ability to improvise and his abiding passion for Irish and Scottish musical traditions. "The bagpipe is a tremendous lead instrument," said Anderson, who will be performing with a few surprise guests. "I combine elements from various traditional fiddle and 'piping styles with my severe inclination to just groove.  Being able to jam is what makes it fun--it's not just a bunch of 'pipe tunes."

Richard Wood, straight from Prince Edward Island, presents a high-energy show with a combination of maritime fiddling and stunning showmanship. Wood has toured around the world from Germany to the United States to critical acclaim. At age 23, Wood has five albums under his belt including the most recent release under his own label, Come Dance With Me. Wood made a special guest appearance with country music star, Shania Twain on the David Letterman show, Good Morning America and the Wolf Trap theatre in Washington DC. He has won countless championships as a step dancer and fiddler, including the two time winner of the Messer Memorial Trophy for top Maritime fiddler and the 1998 Instrumental Artist and Roots/Traditional Artist awards at the East Coast Music Awards in Halifax, VA. Wood allows his music to define himself and his emotions. "Music can make people feel so many different ways," said Wood. "I want them to feel what I’m feeling. It’s like a roller coaster, I want to take them from the highest highs to the lowest lows."

Cathie Ryan burst onto the Celtic music scene in the mid-‘80’s as the lead singer of "Cherish the Ladies." She is blessed with a mezzo soprano voice, insightful songwriting skills and intelligent vocal styling. Her tender empathy delivers an uncommon emotional resonance, conveying the true identity of each song. Ryan learned much of her austere mastery through singing lessons as a child from Irish sean nos legend, Joe Heaney. Born in Detroit, Ryan was named one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America Magazine. Ryan currently tours with three incredible musicians adding guitar, bouzouki, keyboards, flute, fiddle and more to Irish traditional and original ballads mixed with foot stomping jigs and reels.

The Harp and Highland Fest not only offers original and traditional Celtic music, but also many Scottish and Irish vendors offering Celtic jewelry, clothing, books, genealogy and old world Irish cooking techniques.

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