I received a reply from the Celtic Society of So. MD pertaining to pets at the festival. I'm seriously considering just writing this event off since it doesn't appear to be very pet friendly. The Highland games and festivals in Virginia and Pennsylvania all accept pets, and most even encourage folks to bring their pets, especially if they're of a Celtic breed. I don't understand the "anti-pet" attitude.

The CSSM e-mail read as follows...

"JPPM permit dogs on leash and under control of the owner. CSSM, Inc. prefers that pet owners make other arrangements for their pets on Festival Day for the following reasons: There will be roughly 10,000 people in the park on that day , distracted by all there is to see and do and not always watching where they go or paying attention to their small children. There will be constant bagpipe music. This can be stressful for dogs used to a more quiet calm atmosphere. In the past we have had dogs on leash bite other adults, get into fights with other dogs on leash, get loose and be roaming the park from 3 days to over a week. If it is hot and your dog is left in the car, we may have to bring animal control in should we not be able to locate you. We have had to do that too. There is not a lot of shade available on a hot day also. LWhile you may enjoy the day, your pt might be miserable, therefore we would ask that you not bring your pet. We do have on occasion some pet rescue groups as part of the Clans and Societies
and those persons have to produce lkiability insurance certificates. Should you bring your pet, you must assume all responsibility. CSSM cannot be responsible.