Depressing News on the Games Front

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

T%he Potomac Celtic festival was nearly canceled a few years back. However some small amount of funding was eventually found,they changed to a much smaller venue, and cut back to a one day festival. The bands and groups like Coyote Run performed for tips only. Now, they are back in their original location and once again a two day festival.

What is the purpose of the Potomac Celtic Festival?

[BoldHighlander]

What is the purpose of the Potomac Celtic Festival?

Scott, don't know if you saw this recent photo thread of the event or not?

They seem to have a little bit of everything (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong).

[Sir William]

What is the purpose of the Potomac Celtic Festival?

It has a Celtic theme, so you'll see Scottish clans and pipe bands, Irish and Scottish singing and dancing, as well as representatives of Wales and this year ethnic Celts from Spain (I chatted with one of them but can't remember the exact region he was from). They also had some Scottish athletics demonstrations, a demo rugby match. Among this year's living history groups were Romans and Picts in Britain, McDonnell's Regiment of Irishe Foote, the Appin Regiment (1745), Roger's Rangers (included many Scots-Irish/Ulster Scots), and the Irish Guards (1900-1987).

From our perspective, there were lots of kilts present. Lots of traditional tanks, quite a few UK, and an assortment of casually worn kilts. I've seen much the same at various Scottish games, including the RenFaire escapees.

Overall its a pretty nice little event, except the weather always tends to be hot and humid, with a thunderstorm in the late afternoon.

[BoldHighlander]

Among this year's living history groups were Romans and Picts in Britain, McDonnell's Regiment of Irishe Foote, the Appin Regiment (1745), Roger's Rangers (included many Scots-Irish/Ulster Scots), and the Irish Guards (1900-1987).

Don't wish to hijack Alex's thread further.
PM being sent.

[O'Callaghan]

What is the purpose of the Potomac Celtic Festival?

Do I detect a slight edge of hostility to events that are celtic, rather then Scottish? To you it may be 'watered down', but not everyone shares such an opinion.

That aside, I'd just like to note that the Anne Arundel Scottish games are a casualty, and that Baltimore is down from two Irish festivals to one (although I suspect that the rivalry that spawned two was not necessarily a good thing).

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Do I detect a slight edge of hostility to events that are celtic, rather then Scottish?

I've no idea what you've read into my post, but if you had said, "Can one detect a slight edge of hostility toward events that are Celtic, rather than Scottish?" I would have said "No."

[Jerry]

What is the purpose of the Potomac Celtic Festival?

To me, since they don't really have games, The Potomac Celtic Festivals and quite a few other gatherings are more like the old time rendezvous that the mountain men attended. They assembled to celebrate their heritage, trade (vendors at the festival?) and just to have fun. I haven't been to one yet, but I would also think that Native American Pow Wows are similar.

[PEEDYC]

I am loking forward to an ENGLISH Highland Gathering at Ashbourne in Derbyshire in England of all places on 18th July. Last year was due to be the 25th but was cancelled due to the park being waterlogged (Typical Uk summer) This year is to be the 25th+1 Gathering. From what I understand in 2008 there were around 10,000 people attended. The town really does us Scots proud by dressing their shop fronts in tartan and Scottish regalia to win a competition. Red Hot Chilli Pipers gig on Saturday night 17th July. Looking forward to that too.