With luck of the leprechaun, we had a beautiful day for the parade before the rain started! Willamette Valley Pipes & Drums led us in a parade through Salem 
Riverfront Park and downtown Salem.
Downtown Salem. 
Photo Finish! 
No Drama Llama Ceaser with Willamette Valley Pipes & Drums.
Céili of the Valley Society hosted their 6th annual Samhain Celtic New Year Festival celebrating the seven Celtic nations in October with a special focus on Scotland. This year was a hybrid festival that combined both four in-person live events, virtual events and on-line content.
The Festival opened up with a return to our first in-person ceili of the year at the VFW Hall. The Pan-Celtic was cultural opportunity to experience dancing dances from the different Celtic 
nations. Continuation of more in-person events included workshops: Native Plant Stories Connecting Oregon and Ireland and Celtic Harp Hands-On Workshop. Live concerts were Celtic Harps, Rare Instruments & Wondrous Stories and Scottish band, The Fire.
The Festival wrapped up with a virtual Whisky Tasting event with Bill Mullen. Bill gave a list of six whiskys that participants could purchase to taste and then Zoom in to learn about the origins, history, process, geography,of these whiskys.
Visit our website, celticfestival.info, for music from both local and international groups! Go on a journey from your armchair for cultural experiences that include: dance, historical sites, food and drinks. Also, visit and subscribe to the Samhain Festival YouTube channel.
The Festival was Supported by Transient Occupancy grant from the City of Salem, Marion Cultural Development Corporation, Real Systems, and The Summit Group of Oregon.
Our first in-person, indoor Céili back at our old stomping ground at the VFW Hall was in 
memory of our dear ceili friend, caller, and volunteer- Julie Cutler. This was one of Julie’s favorite ceili which she had fun finding dances for, organizing, and calling some of the dances.
We will miss her boisterous laugh that lit up the Hall!
Welcome back Ceili Dancers!!! Céili of the Valley held their first in-person ceili in June. The ceili was held outdoor for our members and was a test ceili to work out our process. Fun was had by all and another outdoor ceili is scheduled for July.
Thanks to everyone that attended our experiment ceili! And special thanks to musicians Geraldine Murray and Zac Léger and our sound person Mark!
Thanks to all that attended our Genealogy Workshop with presenter, Douglas H. Crosby of the Willamette Valley Genealogical Society. 
In this May 2021 workshop, Douglas covered the basics of genealogy and tools for exploring your family ancestry.
March Walk-About was our last in-person event in 2020. This year, it is our first in-person event. Families, wee folks, fairies, and leprechauns joined Céili of the Valley Society to enjoy the sun at our 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Walk-About at Salem Riverfront park wearing our finest GREEN!!
Do you remember when we had sooo much fun at classes, ceilis and community events?!
With sadness Céilí of the Valley Society shares that long-time member Julie Cutler died on December 3rd from a brain hemorrhage. Remembered for her boisterous laugh, Julie enjoyed people and dancing. She generously contributed to our group in a number of capacities over time including serving as a Board member, substitute caller and volunteer. We remember her as our friend. Go Raibh Suaimhneas Síoraí Uirthi (Eternal Rest Be Upon Her).
Due to COVID-19, the Ceili of the Valley Society has decided to move the 5th annual Samhain Celtic New Year Festival online. Starting October 3rd, this year’s event will be a month long of October Celtic surprises. It will feature all the things people have come to love experiencing at the event that celebrates the seven Celtic nations: Ireland, Scotland, Wales,Cornwall, Brittany, Galicia and Isle of Man. Look for music, workshops, children’s activities, weekly live events (including a Whisky tasting event), and vendors.
We are excited to announce we will be kicking off the 2020 Samhain Festival with a live concert from Scottish folksingers and songwriters, Jim and Susie Malcolm!
Please join them “Live from Scotland”
(Via their Zoom Room)
(suggested donation $10-$15 per person)
To receive Paypal donations link and Zoom concert details,
please email susie@jimmalcolm.com
Check www.celticfestival.info for more information about the festival. You can also like us on Facebook: facebook.com/orcelticfest; follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/orcelticfest; andfollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/orcelticfest
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The Samhain Celtic New Year Festival is organized by the Ceili of the Valley Society, a Salem-based nonprofit all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and perpetuating Irish and Celtic heritage and culture in the Willamette Valley primarily through social events that incorporate music and dance. (NOTE: In-person activities are currently on hold due toCOVID-19).
Thanks to our caller- Elisa, Dan and Fran Compton, and techie Mark, Ceili of the Valley Society had their first virtual test Ceili with Live music. A lot of pre-Ceili work was done to work out sound. Thanks to those that attended. We hope you enjoyed the live music, dancing alone physically, but with others virtually on Zoom.
