For the fifth year in a row, McDonough residents will be able to get a glimpse into Celtic heritage and culture at the festival entitled Embracing the Stones.

The festival, slated for Sunday, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the McDonough Public Library, is free and open to the public.

This year’s festival, however, has an added dimension to it — a multicultural perspective.

Three dances from three different cultures will be Native American dances from a Pow Wow dancer and Native Chippewa Brandi Charette, traditional Hindu dance performed by Soniya Mehta and an Irish dance performed by the Peachtree City Drake School of Irish Dance.

Additionally, model and dance instructor Theo Simon will make an appearance and Celtic Collection model Julia Shelley will perform a historical skit.

Lewis Hales, the coordinator for the event, said very few people realize the intersectionality between Celtic heritage and the influences from other cultures.

“This year we are going to focus on dancing and the dances of different cultures,” said Hales. “These three dances, Native American, Hindu and Irish, significantly enhanced the development of Celtic culture in the United States and ancient Europe.”

Introducing the multicultural aspect has always been the goal since the festival began in the county five years ago.

“We are mainly about the understanding of Celtic history from a multicultural perspective,” said Hales. “This was our goal from the start. We started looking for different performers that would represent those different cultures that influenced the development of Celtic history.”

Hales said for those who are interested in learning more deeply about Celtic heritage and culture, this is a great opportunity.

“If you want to learn more about our heritage, society and culture from a historical perspective, this would be an excellent festival to attend,” said Hales. “You are not just going to see dancing but you will also understand the origin and influence of that dancing on our society from way back.”

If you go:
 When: Sunday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
 Where: McDonough Public Library, 1001 Florence McGarity Blvd.
 Information: (770) 954-2806 or www.henry.public.lib.ga.us/mcdonough.htm.