Celtic sounds come to Bavarian Leavenworth with inaugural music festival

LEAVENWORTH – The first ever Cascade Celtic Festival will infuse Irish music into the Bavarian town on April 12 and 13.

The Cascade Celtic Festival will feature traditional Irish and Scottish music from bands such as Nearing Neara and Puget Sound Firefighters Pipes and Drums, as well as Irish folk and Celtic rock bands like the Coming Up Threes, Stout Pounders, and The Whiskeydicks. It will also include traditional Irish dance from Seattle Irish Dance Company, Cascade Irish Dance, and An Daire Academy of Irish Dance in Wenatchee.

“All of these bands were hand picked for this first year. These are all groups that I've that I have either seen, played with, or have been a part of other festivals…These are, like the best of the best for the Northwest, as far as Irish bands go,” said Alice Cloutier, event organizer and musician.

While Cloutier is currently based in Snohomish, her Leavenworth ties date back to her childhood, where she grew up watching her dad, Thomas Tilton, play in the Little German Band throughout town. Tilton later formed Leavenworth’s Bavarian and Austrian folk band Alpenfolk with his wife, Cori Pflug-Tilton, and son Peter Pflug-Tilton.

Cloutier’s musical interests took another direction. As a trained classical violinist with Irish and Scottish heritage, Cloutier started playing Irish fiddle during nursing school, eventually joining the Stout Pounders and playing at various Irish music festivals in the Northwest. 

With Cloutier’s experience and Tilton’s location, the two started brainstorming a way to bring an Irish music festival to Leavenworth.

“There's nothing like this event in Central Washington or Eastern Washington…So we're hoping to bring the gift of music to Leavenworth and to Central Washington,” said Cloutier.

The family-friendly event will have food, beer and wine, arts and goods. Attendees will be able to enjoy local vendors, including Icicle Brewing Company and La Javelina, as well as Irish staples, Smithwicks and Guinness, and fare from Shawn O’Donnells.

“There's a lot of excitement and support from some of the Leavenworth businesses and the Leavenworth Chamber [of Commerce]...We don't have any doubt where this is going to be very successful for a first year,” said Cloutier.

The event is sponsored by Munchen Haus, Irish and Celtic Society of Snohomish County, Hotel Leavenworth, and Beyond the Call of Duty.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media