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Sterling Rock Festival

The Sterling Celtic Rock Festival erupts Saturday and Sunday in late August 21st and 22nd. This is a modern rock festival with the plugged in and piped up sounds of some of the best Celtic rock bands in the country.

Featured bands include:
Enter the Haggis, a high-energy Celtic-based explosion of blues, funk and rock from Canada. Enter The Haggis’ live show is a musical feast — viscerally dynamic, emotionally uplifting and intellectually stimulating.

Searson is a high-energy roots/pop band performing throughout Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

Cara is rooted in Irish and Scottish traditional music, but with ambitions to create a new and unique sound, along with charming and witty performances from the two front women.

Glengarry Bhoys is an internationally acclaimed alternative-roots band, described as bold, unorthodox, vibrant, and evocative.

Rathkeltair took top honors for Best Celtic Rock Band of 2006 in the annual Celtic MP3s Music Magazine Peoples’ Choice Awards, and offers one of the most exciting, audience-friendly shows you will see anywhere.

Barleyjuice offers a mix of traditional and original songs in a Celtic folk-rock style. They bring a wild and vigorous originality to every old tune, and add their own frenetically energetic, gleefully funny, and grand music as well.

In addition to this stellar line-up, there will be local bands playing acoustically on smaller stages as well as a variety of regional Irish dance schools performing.

The music happens on the site of the Renaissance festival, a cool wooden hillside with outdoor amphitheatres, seating, shade and great Old English style buildings that set the mood.

Main events will be held on three different stages. Meander the grounds and catch your favorite musicians.

The selection of great food and imported beers will astound.

Crafts will line the pathways to stages and will reflect the high quality artisanry visitors have come to expect at the site.

It’s just the right music at just the right place, so don’t miss the inaugural season of what is sure to become one of upstate New York’s favorite music fest getaways.