SALISBURY, Md.- The 28th annual Chesapeake Celtic Festival returns to Furnace Town Oct. 7 and 8, featuring a performance by Galician Dancers among a wide range of activities.

“One of the missions of the Celtic Festival is to show the broad base of Celtic Culture. It’s not just about Irish pubs,” Jeanne du Nord, producer of the festival said.

Many of the early settlers of the Eastern Shore came from the Celtic lands, according to the Chesapeake Celtic Festival.

“It is with pride and pleasure that we present the Galician Dancers,” du Nord said.

The traditional music of Galicia originated in Spain in the early 14th century, according to Galicia Guide. The Galician Dancers will provide performances throughout the day Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Furnace stage.

Gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, with an opening ceremony at noon both days.

There will be various activities to enjoy on the Festival grounds, including Celtic musicians, bagpipes, storytelling, whiskey tasting, pub comedy, historic ales and specialty beers, cultural presentations and a special children’s performance called The Pickin’ and Grinnin Show.’ Children are also welcome to participate in games behind the Furnace Town visitor’s center.

A Celtic church service will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday in the chapel. The service will be led by Du Nord, an ordained minister of the Celtic church, with traditional music, bagpipes and the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans celebration of Scotland.

The festival will parade flags of the seven Celtic nations in their celebration, which are Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall, Normandy and Brittany in France, and Asturias and Galicia in Spain.

Other highlights include a performance by the festival’s Master of Ceremonies and Comic, Actor Graham Caldwell. Painter Lorraine Hudson will provide a performance as Rainborsa the fairy artist, dancing to harp jigs as she paints.

Several other events are also in store for the upcoming festival, including Irish wolfhounds, sheep, wildfowl demonstrations, costumed artisans, bee-keeping presentations, Highland athletic performances and martial arts by the Medieval European Martial Arts Guild.

Tickets for general admission cost $15 and $5 for anyone 18 and under. Children under the age of three may enter for free. The event is located at 3816 Old Furnace Rd in the Living Heritage Museum within Furnace Town.

For more information call Furnace Town at 410-632-2032.