With Halloween quickly approaching, our thoughts turn to ghosts and gouls, but did you know many of our Halloween traditions are based on the Celtic festival Samhain?

Many believe Samhain (pronounced /ˈsɑːwɪn/,/ˈsaʊ.ɪn/, or /ˈsaʊn/) was one of the most important festivals in the Celtic calendar – it marks the new year, or the end of summer and the beginning of the winter.

So, while we may be heading into winter, we are still very much thinking about summer here at the DIF headquarters.

Stay tuned – we are about to announce our first round of bands for the 2010 Festival – still working on a few details, and we will have more to announce later, but we didn’t want to keep you waiting too long!

The Wexner Center is bringing what sounds to be a really funny piece of Irish theater to Central Ohio this weekend – Oct. 16 & 17th. The play is Druid Ireland, The Walworth Farce by Enda Walsh. It sounds like it should be a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to seeing it.

Reviews have said it is “a most original talent…swaggers with vitality” (Guardian), and “a theatrical experience that claws at the imagination for days afterwards”(Variety).

Now is your chance to win a pair of tickets to the show. If you aren’t lucky enough to win a pair, you can also buy tickets online at Ticketmaster. Prices are $24 for non-members and $20 for members.

If you aren’t already a member of the Wexner Center – you should really consider joining, it is a great deal and you support one of Central Ohio’s most creative & original organizations.

To win a pair of tickets, become a fan of the Dublin Irish Festival On facebook and post a comment on the contest status update.

Mary Jo DiSalvo and I spent a couple of days last week in Indianapolis for the International Festival and Events Association (IFEA). This is a great time for us to learn from other events and also take some time to pat ourselves on the back for some of the good work we are doing. It will take a while for us to digest all the great information and creative ideas we picked up – but here are our IFEA Pinnacle award winners for this year…

Gold-

• Best Radio Promotion: Move Your Feet!
• Best Sponsor- Wendy’s International

Silver-

• Best Local Television Program: Dublin Irish Festival Unwrapped
• Best Radio Promotion: Mr. O’Casey’s Irish Caber Class
• Best Ad series: Puff Daddy, Fiddle Stix and Beat Box
• Best Invitation: Round Up
• Best New Promotion: Dublin Irish Festival Stout

Bronze-

• Best Television Promotion:  Labored Caber Toss
• Best Individual Sponsor Program: Old Bag of Nails
• Best Other Merchandise:  Little Pot O’Gold Onsie pot o gold

We are especially proud of the awards we share with Wendy’s and Old Bag of Nails. The award recognizes their commitment to the Festival and the Dublin Community as a whole.

Check out one of DIF’s own training future Irish Festival piping stars!

Glenn Mackie, one of our entertainment chairs and his young students was featured in a online video slideshow today at Dispatch.com

Also, read the article here.

Tomorrow, September 17 marks the half way to St. Patrick’s Day and here’s a look at what’s going on in Historic Dublin Ohio. Make sure to stop by the Men’s Best Legs In a Kilt Contest, Alison Leroy will be one of the judges.

4 – 8pm – Tara’s Diary Trunk Show @ Ha’penny Bridge Imports of Ireland

5 – 8pm – Community Sidewalk Chalk @ Tehku parking lot

6 – 8pm – Washington Township Firetruck @ Dublin Library parking lot

6 – 9pm – Free Trolley Rides

6 – 7pm – Tea Tasting @ Tehku ($5 for five teas) 6 – 9pm – Strolling Balloon Animal Entertainment

6 – 9pm – Cupcake Cooking demonstration @ Our CupCakery

6 – 10pm – Local Vendor Showcase @ Schade Photography

6.30 – 7.30pm – Men’s Best Legs In a Kilt Contest @ Ha’penny Bridge Imports of Ireland (register here )

7 – 8pm – Ohio Wildlife Center Presentation @ 55 S. High (grass in front of Tehku)

7 – 9pm – Fade To Blue (live music) @ Frog Park, across from Dublin Village Tavern

7 – 9pm – Outa Sync (live music) @ Blarney House Charities, across from Brazenhead

Tomorrow is also an appreciation night for Dublin Irish Festival Volunteer. Check Out the videos below of the two bands playing live tomorrow night. Hope to see you all out tomorrow.