Western North Carolina Celtic Festival

**Tartan Hiker** · 29th May 11, 09:18 PM

https://www.facebook.com/WNCHighlandsCeltic

Taste of Scotland over in Franklin is the same weekend. Since both events are two-day events, and about an hour's drive apart, why not visit Matt in Franklin one day, and visit Asheville for Albannach, The Hooligans, Montreat Pipes and Drums, and more the other day?

**Ryan Ross** · 29th May 11, 09:30 PM

...and best hit Franklin on Saturday, as nothing Scottish really takes place there on Sunday, save a kirkin', perhaps.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 30th May 11, 04:35 AM

Yes, Sunday is a light day at the Taste of Scotland. There is the kirkin' service at the First Presbyterian Church. The Museum will be open limited hours (1 to 5) for "family day." Free tours, free admission, free ice cream for the kids. The border collie man stays on for an extra day to do border collie shows across the street from the museum. It's a great chance to see the dogs work up close and personal without the large crowds of Saturday.

But the main festival day is on Saturday, so if you are only coming one day, that's definitely the one to choose!

**Santa Wally** · 2nd June 11, 07:15 AM

WNC in Asheville is only Fri nite and Sat, NOTHING on Sun. I was hoping WNC was also on Sun.

**Tartan Hiker** · 4th June 11, 05:45 PM

OH yeah... I had my dates messed up and thought there were Sunday events. Looks like some of us will have to make a hard decision.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 5th June 11, 04:38 AM

Any idea, Bill, why they chose to do a Scottish event on the same weekend as another Scottish event, only an hour's drive away, that's been going on for 15 years?

I really like to support all Scottish events in the region, but it's hard when they start competing with each other.

The Blairsville Highland Games, just across the border in GA, is the weekend before the Taste of Scotland, and even still it feels like we are competing for attendance.

**Ryan Ross** · 5th June 11, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Any idea, Bill, why they chose to do a Scottish event on the same weekend as another Scottish event, only an hour's drive away, that's been going on for 15 years?

I really like to support all Scottish events in the region, but it's hard when they start competing with each other.

The Blairsville Highland Games, just across the border in GA, is the weekend before the Taste of Scotland, and even still it feels like we are competing for attendance.

Aye, I was fairly miffed to find out that some random folks decided to do a celtic festival the same weekend as the ToS, too.

But this country was founded on competition, after all, and that drives people to step up their game. Even so, you'd think they'd choose another weekend, even if they were just looking out for their own attendance.

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

OH yeah... I had my dates messed up and thought there were Sunday events. Looks like some of us will have to make a hard decision.

Adapting the words of one of my least favorite former presidents: "Well, that all depends on what your definition of hard is."

Seriously though, that's not a hard decision. Go to the Taste of Scotland. Problem solved!

**thatcelticband** · 6th June 11, 09:54 AM

Rarely do I find myself butting in on the arguments of others but here's my two cents on the subject.

First, Franklin and Black Mountain are close to if not over two hours apart. Quite a distance considering near record fuel prices.

Second, few would argue that music has become as popular as the games themselves. At TOF you have The Border Collies (progressive trad), The Dunham Family (trad) Caledonia Swing (Jazzy Trad) a solo piper and a pipe band. At WNC you have Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans (Celtic Rock), Rathkeltair (Celtic Rock/Jam), Ennis Pruitt (Trad/Balladeer), Marcille Wallis & Friends (progressive Trad) Albannach (tribal/trad) and Pipapelli (Blues/celt) and Montreat Scottish Pipes & Drums.

Third, TOS is a festival whereas WNC is a Highland Games.
So it would seem to me that most people are going to go where the music leads them. If you're into the more rowdy, rock stuff then WNC is the one to go to. If you're more of a traditionalist and what to listen to celtic music in it's traditional forms, then TOS is for you.

My point in all this? I don't see either one of these great festivals as competition. If indeed you are torn in which to go to, on Saturday morning go on to TOS and then head on to WNC around lunch time because it dosnt start off until 11am. Then on Sunday morning, head back to TOS and enjoy the festivites that Sunday has to offer.

As for me and Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans, We'll be playing WNC Saturday at 4:30 and would love to see you all.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 6th June 11, 10:41 AM

I don't think an argument is going on here, I'm just genuinely curious why Black Mountain decided to start a celtic-themed event on the exact same weekend as another similar event that is so close by. And I know it wasn't Bill's decision at all, I was just wondering if perhaps he knew of any extenuating circumstances that led to that decision.

I'm glad you don't see any competition between the two events, but the fact is that if you live anywhere between Macon and Buncombe counties and you are into things Celtic/Scottish, then you are going to have to choose between one of these two events. Whereas if the Black Mountain event was even one week later, you'd probably go to both. I think both events suffer because of this.

**thatcelticband** · 6th June 11, 12:41 PM

You make a great point, Mac. Is there any chance you could talk to the WNC people about moving the WNC fest by one weekend? I woder also if it is the case that the governing body of highland games said this was the weekend they could hold it.