KVMR Celtic Festival, Grass Valley, CA - 29-30 Sept

[California Highlander]

Anyone headed up to the Nevada County fairgrounds for the KVMR celtic festival? I'm in the area that weekend and if any XMarkers are around, we could possibly meet. I am working as a volunteer "rover" on Saturday morning, but free the rest of the time.

http://www.kvmr.org/celticfestival/

I've never been, but it looks like pan-celtic music festival + renfaire + mini Scottish games + Irish dancing. Looks interesting.

Music includes The Elders, Bad Haggis, The Prodigals, Paul McKenna Band, Comas, 9 Eighths Irish, Whiskey & Stiches, Samantha Robichaud, Gothard Sisters, and Hanz Araki & the Mighty Few

[McElmurry]

I'll be there in my Morrison red (claret) kilt and Panama hat unless it is too windy for the hat.

[California Highlander]

I'll keep an eye out for you, shouldn't be hard to spot you!!

[SF Scot]

This looks like a lot of fun but fifty bucks for a one day ticket? Ouch. The Dixon games are that same saturday and it's half the distance and 1/5 the cost, so I guess I'll be going to Dixon (although Dixon will be 10 degrees hotter!)

[Alan H]

I'll be throwing at Dixon. Sucks that the two events conflict.

[California Highlander]

Yeah, I hear you there SF Scot. I'm in Nevada County that weekend anyway for family stuff and also working as a volunteer at the event, or I would consider Dixon. KVMR is a music festival first, with the bonus of Scottish games "lite", dancers, ren-fairish stuff, sessions for musicians to join, etc. which is probably why it's a higher cost. $63 for both days, $43 for a single day until Sept 28th. My guess is Dixon is more of a Highland games event with some music along the lines of Ardenwood Tartan Day. Different events, different scale, both with a Scottish component.

KVMR: http://www.kvmr.org/celticfestival/
Dixon: http://www.scotsindixon.org/dsca/games.html

I've not been to either before, but looking forward to the music and activities this weekend. Maybe other XMarkers have been to either or both and have more details?

[SF Scot]

Comparing the two is apples to oranges for sure. As CH said, Auburn looks like a two day music fest with a celtic theme whereas Dixon is strictly Highland, and small, but fun. Going to be a scorcher though, upper 90's I think.

[California Highlander]

Had a great time up in Nevada County on Saturday at the KVMR Celtic fest. Overall, the basics were as expected, but the music was really much more varied and fun than I was hoping for. Bands might be playing a small stage at one time, and 30 minutes later on the main stage, or you could catch music in the "pubs". Unfortunately, I could only be there one day, so I couldn't see everything and missed some things like the Cape Breton and Irish Dancers, Whiskey & Stiches, The Prodigals, etc.

Standouts for me: Gothard Sisters, Bad Haggis, Samantha Robichaud, & The Elders. But really everything I heard was great. http://www.kvmr.org/celticfestival/music.htm

And there was a fire-breathing dragon named Claude. My wife says he was also at the Maker's fair. He's pretty cool. Utilikilts and Stumptown Kilts were there. Checked them both out. I'm more of a wool kilt guy, but definitely liked the overall look and style of the Stumptown. Nice box pleats, not a lot of giant pockets, very "kilt". Tim and John were both friendly. Definitely at the top of my canvas kilt list.


McElmurry: I saw a few panamas, but didn't connect with you. Next time!
Alan: How did Dixon go?