The City of Saline managed the Saline Celtic Festival beginning in 1996, financing the event and appointing the Executive Committee to plan & present the Festival. 

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Organized by volunteers in preparation for the agreed separation from the city, Friends of the Festival was incorporated on April 26, 2011 in the State of Michigan and assumed all financial responsibility for the Festival.  In 2013, Friends of the Festival was recognized by the IRS as an organization described in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

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As agreed, in January of 2023, The Saline Celtic Festival and the City of Saline officially parted ways, the city appointed Executive Committee was dissolved and its members assumed positions on the Friend's Festival Advisory Committee. The Friends of the Festival took over as the official ruling body of the Saline Celtic Festival as a whole.

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Friends oversees the financial management of funds, establishes the annual budget, secures and manages grant funding, enters into contracts on behalf of itself and the Michigan DBAs "Saline Celtic Festival", Michigan Celtic Festival and "Saline Craft Beer Festival", secures and recognizes sponsors and other contributors, secures insurance and licensing for the Festival, appoints the Festival Advisory and other committees and establishes policy and protocol for a safe and engaging event. 

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With seven longtime Festival volunteers seated, the Festival Advisory Committee oversees all aspects of the Festival - logistics; scheduling; set-up and strike and works closely with appointed General Chairs to ensure they each have everything they need to succeed.

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General Chairs bring their experience, knowledge & passion to the Festival and are each responsible for a specific area/activity. They propose & manage their own budgets, maintain records, procure supplies and recruit talent.

 

Friends of the Festival has been operating with an asset surplus since its inception.

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The Michigan Celtic Festival is a member of the Association of Irish & Celtic Festivals.