My first Estes Park Festival:

[fortcollinsjerry]

The weather was perfect - for Scotland. Cold and rainy. I felt right at home what coming back from the old country so recently

I really never expected to see some of the sights I was exposed to at the Festival. Heaven's to betsy there were a variety - like several kilted gentlemen wearing an Argyle jacket with a Dirk hung on their hips. One lady in a kilt, white hose and jacket wearing a Balmoral with several feathers stuck up behind the pin, a 10 inch white feather some how attached to the hat, and a length of tartan wrapped around her shoulder and hip. Many looked like someone out of central casting for Brave Heart extras. Amazing

If the Colorado X'ers met on the home plate at noon behind the whisky booth I couldn't find you gentlemen. I stood in the right field dugout for a while guy's

The music was fun to watch and listen to - especially the small tent groups. And, I saw the worlds smallest US Marine Corporal. She was part of the Marine band playing for the spectators. Lots of fun.

After pawing through a pile of about a hundred hats I finally found a glengarry (SP?) that fit. And I passed up an Inverness Coat (cape?) thinking I could better use the $450 asking price. Besides, the coat wasn't Harris tweed - it felt like an old army blanket. I can get another 25 years useage out of my nylon pipers cape probably - I certainly did today.

The food vendors were showing a lot of creativity keeping the rain out of their hot oil deep fry pots. I'll bet that gets to be an exciting job in a heavy gail. Nevertheless, the pies and sausages were delicious.

I saw one very impressive gentleman wearing what looked like a WWII combination from WPG; kilt, dark boots OD socks and flashes, OD brown battle dress blouse with shirt/tie and a brown balmoral. He looked like a SgtMajor of a WWII Commando outfit. And he was very well attired - everything fit and looked just right! Made me think I need to take a look at my outfit (...and loose a few pounds from around my waistline)

I hope to attend next year earlier in the week - Thursday or Friday. On Saturday the crowds were huge in spite of the rain. Of course when the rain hit heavily everyone tried to crowd into the vendors tents and movement was almost impossible.

All in all thought, I had a good time. Spent some money and had a Guiness and ate a meat pie. So it was a pretty good day.

[Livingston]

Jerry, sorry to miss you. I walked up to home plate right at noon and GMan came at it from the other direction at the same time. We were in the 3rd base dugout for about 30 or 40 minutes and kept watching for someone else. We did have one of our silent members join us and so did one of our younger members, Ian. I was in the Livingston tartan which is primarily red and as I looked at both dugouts, mine would have been the only red one.

BTW, you can always find me by stoping at the pipers hut and asking for Greg.

[fortcollinsjerry]

Jerry, sorry to miss you. I walked up to home plate right at noon and GMan came at it from the other direction at the same time. We were in the 3rd base dugout for about 30 or 40 minutes and kept watching for someone else. We did have one of our silent members join us and so did one of our younger members, Ian. I was in the Livingston tartan which is primarily red and as I looked at both dugouts, mine would have been the only red one.

BTW, you can always find me by stoping at the pipers hut and asking for Greg.

we were probably standing there looking at one another across the diamond. I never thought to cross over to ask. Sorry

[Nighthawk]

I waited until this point to even read this thread. It kills me to have to miss the festival- especially since two of my favorite bands (Brother and Angus Mohr) were there. And yes- you will see some rediculous outfits at these festivals. That's the great thing about this forum- we can actually learn how to dress ourselves! I still wear my kilt an inch longer than most people- but I have had more than one Scot tell me (vehemently!) that it doesn't matter, because I wear it with pride and respect in such a way that works well for my body, and I at least know the general conventions. I go to these festivals, and my good manners usually assert themselves right before I say things like "Would you like me to show you how to pleat that table cloth you're wearing?" All in all, though, they're always fun.

[BroosterB1]

"Aye, I see you're from the Picnic Sept of the Sanders Clan......."

[GMan]

I did notice a Kilt at the other dug out.

[SFCRick]

sounds like you had a good time, even with the weather

[fortcollinsjerry]

sounds like you had a good time, even with the weather

Yep. Actually I never even considered the weather an impediment. Hopefully there will be other opportunities to dress up. On last Friday night I dressed down (Kilt, socks and oatmeal colored Jacobite Shirt shirt tucked in) and the we had dinner with the kids at an upscale resturaunt. Very comfortable. I actually saw a number of local Scotish Gents so attired in Country.

[Santa Kona]

Sound like a good time.

[fortcollinsjerry]

I also searched for a sporran as nice as the Thurpin but only found the mass produced versions. So today I put in my Thurpin order.