The kids gave me a ticket to the Highland Games & Celtic Festival this year. This has sort of become my annual birthday present. Walter started out three years ago and then this year Danielle decided to jump in and give it a try.
The day didn't look as if it was going to cooperate weather wise. There were lots of clouds with threats of potential rain, which thankfully did not materialize. We had prepared for the worse with umbrellas which took on a whole new use as canes or walking sticks.
Walter drove me to the games and we met up with Ben & Danielle. It turned into a major shopping and festive time. Walter was happy as a clam just "lurking" about watching all the going ons. Once he got into doing some shopping he found a couple of things but waited and shopped around for his best bargains. Ben & Danielle hunted high and low for the proper tartan scarves, which of course they found.
The day didn't look as if it was going to cooperate weather wise. There were lots of clouds with threats of potential rain, which thankfully did not materialize. We had prepared for the worse with umbrellas which took on a whole new use as canes or walking sticks.
Walter drove me to the games and we met up with Ben & Danielle. It turned into a major shopping and festive time. Walter was happy as a clam just "lurking" about watching all the going ons. Once he got into doing some shopping he found a couple of things but waited and shopped around for his best bargains. Ben & Danielle hunted high and low for the proper tartan scarves, which of course they found.
Danielle with her McDonald plaid and badge & Ben with his Douglas plaid and badge.
Walt with his purchase, a replica Highlander sword. He spent a lot of time haggling on this one.
Around noon the crowd gathered at the field to watch the massed band perform and to see the parade of the clans. The bagpipes were amazing.
Around noon the crowd gathered at the field to watch the massed band perform and to see the parade of the clans. The bagpipes were amazing.
Massing of Bands and Clans
Danielle & Walter
I guess next to watching "big men throwing stuff" the major entertainment of the day was to watch the ferret legging. Yes, that's right ferret legging. Below is a photo of the ferret participants in this extremely humorous pub sport. I can only imagine this actually occurring in a public place without it being a planned exhibition.
Ferrets on the field.
There were four volunteer contestants, three men and a woman. Which seemed a bit odd, but...to each his own. The ferret handlers presented each contestant with their very own ferret, which was promptly dropped down their pants. One contestant even volunteered to have two ferrets in his pants, but then again this man had already shown his bravery by wear a kilt for the day. After the ferrets had taken their places the fun really began, the ferret seemed to really enjoy traveling up and down the pants legs and trying to get out of the pants legs at the ankles.
Men with ferrets in their pants. The man in all black has two.
To the amazement of all, all of the contestants were able to keep the ferrets in their pants for three full minutes. What a hilarious way to end a day.
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