Austin Celtic Festival Pics

Some photos from yesterday's Austin Celtic Festival. Please forgive the quality of the images. They were taken with my iPhone. I forgot to ask my wife to leave the camera, and she took it with her for a different event. Sometimes you have to improvise!

I had a great time this year. We got to hang out with a variety of people including my parents Charles and Deby, Kevin and Christina (our next door neighbors who we met there by sheer coincidence), Russ and Elaine (one of my best friends and his girlfriend), and the organizer of the Austin Celtic Meetup and another member of the group, Fin and Helen. I even met a few new people.

This festival seemed to be a bit...better this year. The crown seemed larger and the overall vibe was really good. That probably had a lot to do with the outstanding weather, but nevertheless it was a good time. I think the festival may just be outgrowing the park ground where it is held. I sincerely hope that the organizers will look at moving the event as it continues to expand and gain popularity.

I hope you enjoy the pics.



Getting ready to leave. I'm not sure Lucy the Dog approves of the kilt.




















Yes, there was actually a guy dressed in what seemed to be a custom made Ent costume. He mostly hung out at the entrance and posed for photos with people. Pretty nifty costume. I give him high marks for originality and ingenuity, anyway. Here's a few more of him.
























He was quite the attraction for festival goers.


















































The folks from Viking Invasion were also there doing reenactments and showing off their artifacts.






A gorgeous Viking Longship was on display.



























A proud Prow.























Examples of Eastern Viking Armour and Western Viking Armour. Very well done, indeed!




























Great mask!

























Alas, as twilight falls it's time to say goodbye to Austin Celtic Festival. At least for now. The kiddo and I had a great time with my parents, neighbors, and friends.

Austin Celtic Festival Saturday and Sunday

We're about to head out to the 13th annual Austin Celtic Festival to catch some great live music, enjoy some regional food, do a little shopping, and perhaps have a pint or three. If things Celtic is your thing, you should already be out the door. This is Austin's premier celebration of Celtic culture, and it's one that shouldn't be missed!

Also, the Austin Celtic Meetup Group is having a Meetup Saturday and Sunday at this event. Check out the Austin Celtic Meetup and join in the fun!
Hope to see you there!

Click the link below for ticket info, hours, and directions.

Austin Celtic Festival Official Site

Sláinte!

Events in November

As we say goodbye to Halloween for another year, and welcome in the new Celtic year, you may be asking yourself, "What's next?". Well, let me tell you.

If you missed The Pogues and Gaelic Storm last week, don't stress. There are plenty of things to do in the month of November. And as sad as I am to see Halloween here and gone already, here is a list of events that should surely keep you busy:

Austin Celtic Festival
November 7th and 8th
Admission is $12.00 at the gate

Swell Season @ The Paramount Theater
November 15th
Admission is $40 to $45.00

48th Annual Salado Scottish Clan Gathering and Highland Games
November 13-15th
Admission is $8-10.

Texas Renaissance Festival
Weekends through November 29th
Admission is $23 at the gate, $19 at HEB and Randalls, and $12 the day after Thanksgiving.

Have a great November!

The Origins of Halloween?

Pop Quiz

Halloween is a holiday created by:

A) ancient Peruvians to signify the end of the rainy season, and to honor the God Con Tici Viracocha Pachayachachic, creator of the three realms?

B) European colonists to distract Native Americans while they stole their land?

C) ancient Celts to signify the end of the light half of the year (summer), and the beginning of the dark half of the year (winter)?

D) pagan Vikings who thought that carving faces into pumpkins would keep bad spirits from ruining their pirate expeditions?

If you answered C, then you're on the right track. Although Halloween, the way it is celebrated by adult Americans today, more closely resembles something more akin to a debauchery-filled pagan Roman festival, it wasn't always so.

The ancient Celts celebrated Samhain (pronounced Sow-en in Gaelic) to note the end of the growing season, and the beginning of winter. Many of today's Halloween traditions can be traced back to this ancient festival. And though the stories of candy poisonings and tampering seem to have somewhat altered the carefree spirit of the holiday in its modern form (despite the stories being mostly urban legends), Halloween still lives on and is enjoyed by young and old alike. Even if most of us haven't a clue how it all started.

The History Channel has a really great series of web pages devoted to the origins, customs, and evolution of Halloween here. So if you have a curious mind, or have never thought to wonder about the origins of Halloween but now find yourself curious about it, or if stories of Druids, bonfires, and ancient rites stir something inside you and fire your imagination, then head on over and learn about this ancient holiday.

Fadó Irish Pub Birthday Bash this Weekend

If you've nothing else to do this weekend, you might want to head on down to Fadó Irish Pub to help them celebrate their 12th birthday bash. There'll be plenty 'o music and drink to go 'round. Information below is courtesy Fadó Irish Pub's website.


Fadó Irish Pub Celebrates 12 years!
It’s going to be a HUGE Birthday Bash!
Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24
The party kicks off with 101X and Toby Ryan on site & party favors including your chance to win 4 Dallas Cowboy tickets and $5,000 cash! Live music from Red Alert and Jameson specials all night!

The fun continues Saturday with more prize giveaways including a trip for 2 to Vegas and the chance to win $10,000 cash!! Featuring live music from Mysterious Ways and Guinness specials all night!

Just a Quick Reminder

Autumn is here, and two of my favorite annual festivals are just down the road. The Texas Renaissance Festival begins October 10th and ends the day after Thanksgiving. Celt enthusiasts should not miss the weekend of November 14th and 15th for the Highland Fling or Celtic Christmas on November 27th, 28th, and 29th.



Also, don't forget the 13th annual Austin Celtic Festival at Fiesta Gardens.



Mark these on your calendars, folks, they only come around once a year.

Moving!

Please forgive the lack of posts in recent weeks. The missus and I have been very busy packing, moving, closing, and settling into our new hobbit hole (it's not really a hobbit hole!). I'm afraid blog posts have played second fiddle to our getting settled in the new house.

Thank you for your patience.