Welsh Christmas Tree at the Museum of Science and Industry
January 26, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
Each year in early November the Cambrian Benevolent Society is invited to decorate a large tree to represent Wales for the international display of Christmas trees at the Museum of Science and Industry. Board member, Janet Walquist, has coordinated this activity for many years and has collected a fine array of Welsh ornaments including: Welsh dolls, sheep, lovespoons, Mari Lwyd hobby horses, harps, and dragons. The overall effect is colorful and stunning and has attracted a lot of attention from staff and visitors. Museum docents who give guided tours of the trees report that this is one of their favorite trees in the exhibit.
Since 2005 we have also decorated a smaller tree for the office of Maria Pappas at 118 N Clark St, Chicago.
Take a look at the photos from the 2006 tree decorating at MSI.
2006 Tree Decoration
2007 Chicago Celtic Fest
January 26, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
The Welsh contingent at the 2007 Celtic Fest was small but mighty! In spite of our less than optimum site away from the main thoroughfare we attracted a good crowd of old friends and made many new acquaintances. Bright blue skies and warm sunshine smiled on us for most of the weekend until late Sunday afternoon when the heavens opened just as the Bangor Male Voice Choir was about to go on stage for the second of their festival performances. A group of about 40 staunch supporters (some under umbrellas, others wisely prepared with rain slickers, and still others just plain soaked through!) endured the downpour to revel in the marvelous chorus of songs and spirituals and gave the choir a resounding round of applause as they were hustled off stage to make room for the next performers.
Members of the choir expressed appreciation for the warm welcome they had received from everyone in Chicago . Their Midwest tour was organized by the Lewark family (Carol, Paul, Kristi and Daniel) of Fort Wayne , Indiana with assistance from Dave Parry of the Chicago Tafia and Mona Everett of the Cambrian Heritage Society in Madison , Wisconsin . On Friday evening the Cambrian Benevolent Society provided ‘pizza and a pint’ at a welcome reception in their honor.
NOTE: New date and venue for the 2010 Celtic Fest - May 8 & 9, 2010 at Millenium Park, Chicago
Take a look at our photos from the 2006 event:
2006 Celtic Fest Photos