My first Estes Park Festival:

[wildrover]

Bummed I missed you guys, but I wasn't even there Saturday until the concerts...we figured we'd skip the rain and get some rest, since we were there Saturday for the ceilidh and came back Sunday morning for the pancake breakfast and my solo debut ...which went GREAT ...tho I forgot to introduce myself to Greg! Nerves will settle with time and experience, I guess.

There was a vendor selling dirks, sgians, and swords of some sort...I saw a few "wench" costumes (yes, costumes, sorry!) with a claymore sort of thing strapped across the back, and a lot of people with dirks. What did stand out to my eye was one gent with a Bowie-style blade hanging off his belt, and I thought it was a good look and lent a uniquely American feel to his outfit, as well as the simple fact that it appeared to be a real, useable, useful, knife as opposed to the ceremonial or costume blades I've seen...and certainly more utilitarian--what the heck are you gonna do with a dirk around a campfire, if there's no haggis in sight ?

I was also really happy to see a bunch of vendors who actually make the products they sell, and more than a few tents who were selling "genuine" stuff vs cheap imitations. The guys with the Scotshop (?), from Kentucky, had some really nice stuff, and gave me a great deal on a pair of off-white Aran hose, and the guy from Oklahoma (Renboots) made me a very solid kilt belt on the spot...he was next to the UtiliKilt guys.

If you like your music hard, fast, and lively, check out Angus Mohr, Town Pants, and Hadrian's Wall...those guys don't mess around!

So much more to talk about, but limited space...the tattoo on the 11th was very memorable and got me a bit leaky a few times...Isla St. Clair put on a great show in her tent as well as at the tattoo...and the Scots Guards guys have me considering taking up highland dancing again...

It was a good Games. If ya missed it, too bad, hopefully next year! Be seeing you guys there ...the solo piping comp was just the beginning of a very long journey .

-Sean

[Livingston]

Sean, did you see the guy running around on Sunday morning with the red based kilt and the white shirt at the piping competition? Bet you even talked with him at least once. That was me. I'm assuming you did one or both of the Grade 4 marches.

[pastorsteve]

As soggy as Saturday might have been, Sunday was spectacular. Vendors this year at Highlands Ranch and Estes seemed to be a little scarcer than usual. As always, a great festival.

[wildrover]

Sean, did you see the guy running around on Sunday morning with the red based kilt and the white shirt at the piping competition? Bet you even talked with him at least once. That was me. I'm assuming you did one or both of the Grade 4 marches.

Yeah, I probably did, or my instructor did...he and the PM just sorta pointed me in the right direction and said "you're up now" .

I did play both G4 marches, 6th in both ...very happy with the placing tho I thought my rendition of the 2/4 was pretty brutal...choked the chanter a couple times and almost lost the drones . By that point my lips were starting to imitate a whoopee cushion...

I didn't stick around afterward, it was beer-thirty after the 2/4 march and way too early to drink!

-S

[Livingston]

Ok, you had to talk with me at least once. I was working with the judge at the tent nearest the playground and I know I talked with everyone that competed to make sure you were on time and in order.