In 2013, a handful of local Celtic musicians played weekly at a pub in downtown Durango and were approached by Rod Barker, former owner of the Strater Hotel, about the possibility of producing a Celtic festival. The group had no money and no experience working with agents or booking bands, but they had a venue, the Henry Strater Theatre, and two sponsors, the Strater Hotel and the Irish Embassy Pub. Moreover, the original committee had a passion for Celtic Music. As the years passed, the Festival happily began to post: “Sold Out!” for their event. Now celebrating its 11th Season, the Durango Celtic Festival has grown its audience and developed relationships with bands and musicians from all over the world and have moved their event to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.
