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Things Celtic credits community support with inaugural downtown celebration
Celtic traditions took center stage Saturday as one of Elgin’s newer downtown destinations held its inaugural St. Patrick’s Festival after relocating to the city last year.
The free gathering March 14, presented by Things Celtic, brought together specialty bands, dancers and food to welcome visitors and enjoy Irish and the broader Celtic culture. Owners Nikki Richardson and Bob Rafferty said the festival was designed as both a cultural celebration and way to introduce more people to the business and surrounding downtown area.
“One of the big hopes is to draw people into Elgin off U.S. 290,” Richardson said. “We’ve had a shop in Austin for close to 20 years, so a lot of our loyal customers are there … we’re hoping some of them come out here.”
The festival brought a wide range of traditional acts to the pop-up stage outside Things Celtic, 34 N. Avenue C, including folk, country and Celtic punk. Step dancers performed as attendees enjoyed Irish red ale brewed specifically for the event.
Organizers said the gathering also supported a local cause, as festivalgoers donated more than 160 pounds of food for Elgin Community Cupboard. The collected items will help support residents in need across the Elgin area.
“We’ve always had a deep interest and focus on Celtic community and culture,” Rafferty said. “This gives us an opportunity to share that love with everybody else.”
Things Celtic traces its roots back nearly three decades. The business began importing products from Ireland in 1997 and opened its first storefront in Austin in 1999. Richardson and Rafferty took ownership in early 2025 and moved the store to Elgin, dubbing it the “Emerald of Elgin.”
The two owners said support from the local community has been strong since opening their doors, something they credited with making the festival possible.
“You hear about small town Texas, but man, Elgin brought it,” Richardson said. “Having the people that have stepped up has been remarkable.”
If the event continues to draw interest, the owners said they hope the celebration will become an annual tradition within the community. The pair looks to build an outdoor stage at the shop and plans to host additional live shows throughout the year.
