(w/ Dara Smith-MacDonald, Melody & Derrick Cameron, and Rita Rankin)

The Port Hawkesbury Ceilidhs, initially known as the Ceilidh at the Creamery, debuted in 1996 at a time when there were very few ceilidhs happening across Cape Breton Island throughout the week.  The belief was that locals and visitors would enjoy hearing and seeing some of our favourite traditional performers on a regular basis.  The ceilidhs also offered an opportunity for beginner performers to showcase their talents.

The ceilildhs are organized by a very dedicated group of community volunteers and presented by the Port Hastings Historical Society. Sponsored by the Strait Area Waterfront  Development Corporation and later the Strait Area Waterfront Development Society, the first 11 seasons were housed in the historic Creamery building on the Port Hawkesbury Waterfront.  

Such Cape Breton Fiddle legends as Buddy MacMaster, Theresa MacLellan, Alex Francis MacKay, Howie MacDonald and Carl MacKenzie were regular favourites. The ceilidhs moved to the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre in 2007 and are sponsored by the Port Hastings Historical Society. Each season features a wide variety of fiddlers, dancers, piano players, bagpipers, singers - both English and Gaelic - along with some surprises.