This year’s Georgia Celtic Week will be kicked off with the Celtic Crossing. A new event that is jointly sponsored by the Atlanta Celtic Festival and the Bare Foot Sailing Club, the Celtic Crossing is a sailing tribute to Celtic Maritime History. Throughout history, the Celts have been known as a master sailing people. The early imperial powers that settled the America’s and established world trade by use of the Navy and commercial fleets could not have done so without the Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, Manx, Breton and Galatian sailors. Along with sailors, the Celtic nations were builders of ships. For centuries, Britain built most of her ships in Scotland and Ireland. Ships called Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Titanic, Britannic and Lusitania slid from the dry docks of Scotland and Ireland and all were all created by Celtic brains and brawn. Celtic lore is ripe with tales and songs of the sea and the people who sailed on them whether in times of war or peace. So, to honor their contributions to the world of sail, the Celtic Crossing was established. It will take place on Saturday, May 6th at Lake Lanier. Tentative plans call for a blessing of the sailing fleet by representatives of the Celtic patron saints. Following that, a parade of boats will take place and be judged for their Celtic pride. The major event will be a Seven-legged cruise, one leg for each of the seven Celtic nations. Following the cruise, where they pretend NOT to race, a Celtic Crossing party will take place. Traditional Celtic food and drink will be present in addition to music and dance! Currently, there will be a session hosted by Irish Music Traditions, the Atlanta Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann at the event, so bring your instruments and enjoy the craic! It will be high. In addition, there will be a Celtic band or two. We are looking for Celtic organizations and individuals to sponsor boats in the Crossing. As a boat sponsor, you will have your organization’s flag or banner on the boat, be able to cruise on the boat during the Crossing as well and have two tickets to the party. In addition, any publicity we produce will mention your participation as well. For more information, contact Lance Jones (770) 446-3433 or Steve O’Hagan (404) 993-4540.