Fort Erie Celtic Festival 9/9

[Wompet]

Just a few pictures from Saturday. Not too many, since the overcast (and then the rain, and the overcast again) made the lighting a bit off.

To start, there were the dancers, of course. No competition dancing, just exhibition, but most of the games I've been to there's usually something else I've wanted to see at the same time, usually at the other side of the grounds. And though I don't normally take pictures of the dancers (can't catch the motion with a still photo ), this fellow reminded me of a discussion awhile back concerning wearing suspenders/braces with a kilt:


He and his colleagues were from the Flaherty School of Dance.

The other featured dancers were a quartet called "Scara Brae," who did a sort of neo-traditional Lord of the Dance thing on this stage.
They also performed (more traditionally) with the Niagara Region Police Band in the band shell. You'll notice that the dancers' plaids match the band's kilts.


It would have been nice if the dance instructor had gotten herself off the stage, but she stood there for the entire set.

[Wompet]

Seguing into the bands, here's a picture of the Hamilton Pipe Band on the field. It's not so much a picture of the band, as a contrast between pleating to sett and pleating to stripe:

I believe that's the Royal Stewart that they're wearing.

Oh, and the Niagara Regional Police Band was wearing their own tartan.

A couple of midget drummers from the massed bands:


While warming up before the massed bands, one of their band mates (who wasn't much older) marched by playing the theme from "Star Wars." Didn't get the camera out in time to catch him, though - was too busy listening.

[Wompet]

Of course, it wouldn't be a Celtic Festival if you don't see at least one thing you have to have:


Nae, ya numpties - git yer minds outta da gutter! The kilt!!
(And his face is erased because I asked to take a picture of his kilt, not a picture of him.)

The Western New York tartan (what he called it), listed by the Scottish Tartans Authority as "Buffalo," ITI 4086.


I may have to talk to Matt Newsome about getting a kilt in this.
(Any current/former western New Yorkers interested in a bulk order, please PM me later.)

[Wompet]

And last, but not least, the X Marks-ers:


Left to right: John (not yet a member), SWK Irish National; Sam/Mexipiper, New York City tartan; me, self-made cotton duck; and Pete/MacHummel, 8-yd MOD canvas CCK. Picture taken by Crystal the happy lurker.
Also there were Norm/McPelle and his wife (unfortunately we took the pictures before they showed up), Pete's wife Sandy and baby Soraya (in her Holyrood kilt)(no picture because everyone was concentrating on staying out of the rain). Ewan/Phatpiper came in at the end of the day with the rest of the Glengarry Bhoys.

[David Dalglish]

Superb set of pictures-Hope the rain did not spoil your day

[cessna152towser]

Good pics, thanks for showing us them, and nice to put some faces to the names.

[Improv1]

Those are great pics! Sorry I missed the fun... and so close to home too! Next time!!!

[O'Neille]

Thanks for the 5 minute vacation from work. O'Neille

[MacHummel]

Hey Wompet
Those are some great shots, also I want to thank you for helping out at the booth as at times, I get to talking a little and you got inthere talking with customers that was awesome thank you very much.The Niagara Pipe band wears the Earl of St Andrews.

[possingk]

I may have to talk to Matt Newsome about getting a kilt in this.
(Any current/former western New Yorkers interested in a bulk order, please PM me later.)

I was told that that tartan was made for the British Shop in Buffalo, NY, I didn't realize it was registered and they didn't seem to either as I asked them. But cool if it is it would be easier for me to get one made. I don't recall thier prices for the kilts, but they may have some material available that you can just buy that and ship it off to Matt.