By Missoula Current

Missoula's popular summertime Celtic Festival is back on.

"The people of Missoula spoke very loud that they wanted Celtic Festival Missoula to continue," founder Shannon Lukes announced on Facebook. "It all started with the 100th anniversary of Highlander Beer and will continue on with the 100th anniversary of Bob Ward’s Sports and Outdoors."

Lukes, president of the festival, says the once-postponed event can now go forward, thanks in large part to the sponsorship of Bob Ward’s Sports and Outdoors.

“We had planned to hold off on this year’s festival after a major sponsor pulled out," she said. "Bob Ward’s heard about this and called me out of the blue, and asked what it would take to get the festival going this year.”

After a meeting between Lukes and Chad Ward, president of Bob Ward’s, the two agreed Bob Ward’s would become the presenting sponsor of the seventh annual event.

Said Ward: “Bob Ward’s is heading into our 100th anniversary this year and we were looking for the best ways to give back to a community that has supported us so much over a full century. When the opportunity to revive and be a part of this amazing event popped up we jumped at the chance.”

This year’s Celtic Festival Missoula will be held on Saturday, July 29 in Caras Park. The event will feature Celtic rock band and festival veterans The Young Dubliners.

"The Young Dubliners have been with us since the first festival so they’re a tradition," Lukes said. "Watch for other great bands to be announced. Screaming Orphans are slated for 2018!"

Other activities at the Celtic Festival include a Kid Zone with children’s activities, UM’s mascot Monte – in a kilt, Irish Road Bowling, Celtic Dragon Pipe Band and Highland Dancers, and Traditional Celtic folk music and dance. For more information visit www.celticfestivalmissoula.com.

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