New Jersey (and the NJ Scottish Heritage Festival)

**Cirthalion** · 25th September 07, 07:03 AM

Those of you that have read my previous posts (I haven't made many, admittedly) know that I have occasionally complained about the backwardness and conventionality of southern Alabama, where up until recently I used to live. It was not a good environment for kilting, to say the least.

Well, the gods have answered my prayers I have recently moved to New Jersey with my wife, as I have taken a new position at a university here. Now we live just outside of NYC, in as beautiful a suburb as I have ever seen, which has countless cultural goings-on. Life is grand!

I've been off-board now for about two months, but now I am glad to back, and I am interested in hearing from any NJ or NY kilties about the kilt-related happenings in the area. I am particularly interested to hear whether any X-Markers are planning to attending the New Jersey Scottish Heritage Festival, which is being held this weekend at the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ. if anyone is planning to go, or if you just live nearby, please let me know!

It's nice to be back!

-- Cirthalion

**McMurdo** · 25th September 07, 07:47 AM

Good to have you back, if the SOKS ever make it across the border we'll have to let you know. Congratulations on the new position.

**mddock58** · 25th September 07, 07:56 AM

Not to knock them, (never been there, so how can I?) but there is a great festival in Bethlehem PA this weekend as well, Much more on the entertainment list, as well as great vendors (Rocky will be there).

Yes it's a bit of a ride for you (depending where you are in NJ), but it is well worth it!

Here's the site http://www.celticfest.org/2007CelticClassic/index.html

**Cirthalion** · 25th September 07, 02:40 PM

Actually, I heard about that festival in PA recently, and then promptly forgot. Hell, I'll go to that one instead!

Let me reframe the question, then: are there any X-Marksers going to either one of these festivals??

-- Cirthalion

**Chef** · 25th September 07, 06:00 PM

A few of us will be at the Celtic Fest in Bethlehem. We're working on meeting up (probably sometime Saturday), the forum link is HERE if anyone is interested.

**James MacMillan** · 25th September 07, 06:14 PM

It seems unusual that the event organizers would schedule two highland activities so close together on the same week-end.

They will be stealing attendees from each other! If memory serves, that's like an hour and twenty minutes apart?

**Chef** · 25th September 07, 06:28 PM

It is unusual. The NJ one from my understanding is a local festival even though it is older. the Celtic Classic by comparison is huge! It has the full backing of the town and along with other festivals Bethlehem hosts it has become a huge business for the area. I'm lucky that my wife and I will be staying in town but many of the areas hotels are booked up.

The Celtic Classic has done a wonderful job blending the best of the Celtic cultures into the fair. Of course it also has a ton of money so that helps attract some of the best entertainers, pipe bands and Highland athletes.

**keith A.** · 26th September 07, 06:55 AM

I wont be going to the NJ fair iv been there before years ago it was ok.
But as far as kilt events go there is a NYC kilt night set up for 10/10 at 5:00
at Stout on 33 st in the city you can read about it under kilt nights.

**mexpiper** · 26th September 07, 07:11 PM

Check out hotels in Allentown...(actually its 40 ft. from the hotel that i have stayed in Bethlehem) thats where I am staying which is about 15 minutes from the Festival Grounds.. I also purchase a bus pin to use for the shuttle ( I think its 1.50) and the shuttle lot is about 4 minutes from my hotel.

You will enjoy it!