By Tammy Sue Struble
Issues with fencing at the Zephyr Park location of the annual Celtic Festival in Zephyrhills prompted a quick move to Dade City’s Pioneer Village location.
According to Celtic Festival organizers, the temporary, orange, plastic fencing used at previous Celtic Festivals at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills was not sufficient. The event had problems with the fencing in that many people got into the event without paying. After checking into other types of fencing possibilities for the Zephyr Park venue, the cost of renting other types of fencing was expensive.
“Apparently … with cutbacks, (the City of) Zephyrhills couldn’t do it this year and we couldn’t do it either. We had to find a place that was fenced in,” explained Annette Kama, Celtic Festival Vendor Chair and general information contact.
Event organizer Steve Serneels stated that, “we almost didn’t make enough last year because of people not paying. The Pioneer Village location has a very large parking area and is fenced. It was cancel or move.”
Serneels explained that working with the City of Zephyrhills in the past was very good; the staff and park were nice and the location was good. He also said that working funds are lower this year — they do not have some sponsors for the festival that they had last year.
“It’s (Dade City Pioneer Museum) right down the road,” continued Serneels. “Hopefully we’ll get the crowds as in previous years and try to keep it at the same level as it was before.”
A regular Celtic Festival participant, Mayor Cliff McDuffie of Zephyrhills, was still in the process of making up his mind regarding attending.
“I have a lot going on that weekend,” McDuffie said. He expressed concern over it moving locations and said that he would miss it being in Zephyrhills.
The festival is set for March 5-6 at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.
For more information go to www.zephyrhillscelticfestival.com or call (813) 786-2724.
