1st Celtic festival held in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Thousands had a blast in Jacksonville Beach as they celebrated Irish and Scottish ancestry at the first ever Celtic Festival.

Jacksonville Beach City Councilman organized the event for the first time and says it has been a success. Not only are people attending enjoying it, but local businesses are too. The festival is bringing in lots of money during one of their slower months.

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The festival had something for everyone -- Scottish games on the beach, live music, eating and drinking and plenty of activities for the kids.

Not only is this event great for the people attending, but businesses are enjoying the festival as well because it's bringing in more business during a typically slow time of year.

"Its very important for the Celtic to promote the Celtic culture in Duval County, and interesting fact is that at the last census in 2010, 20 percent claimed to be of Scottish or Irish ancestry, so there's actually a lot of Celts in North Florida," said Keith Doherty, event organizer.

"Things like this are absolutely good for store fronts like us, and once again, Keith Doherty did a great job organizing this," said Tony Hall of Jax Beach Surf Shop. "He didn't hinder the businesses very much as far as when he set up the operation."

Hall said he hopes Jacksonville Beach continues to have more festivals like this in the slower months of fall and winter. He says in the summer there are too many festivals and they actually hinder business sometimes.