March 2, 2013
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Dogs, Kilts, and Tiny Dancers
Flynn came over to our hotel this morning and then we all went together to the North Texas Irish Festival. We got there right after it opened, which was good, because that meant that we got a parking space that was in the same general area as the Festival.
The first surprise was that there were dogs everywhere. Lots and lots of dogs. Reading on the website that they were dog-adoption booths at the festival did not somehow make me realize that everybody who had a dog would bring it. I have never seen so many dogs at one event in my life. Of course, there were plenty of Irish setter and other Irish breeds, including the majestic Irish wolfhounds. My ambition is to someday own a pair of Irish wolfhounds and be wealthy enough to feed them.
There were big dogs and little dogs. Chihuahuas and mastiffs. Many dogs were dressed in Irish or Scottish themed clothes. There were dogs wearing kilts and tams. Dogs in strollers. Dogs in wagons. I even saw a dog being carried in a baby sling. Clearly, if you are allergic to dogs or just don’t like them, this is not the festival for you!
We started off by listening to the first group playing at the first stage we happened upon. They were a high-energy group called Hares on the Mountain. They apologized for not having a drummer: “Usually we have a drummer, but it’s pretty early in the morning, and, well, he’s a drummer.” Apparently he had too much Guinness last night.
Then we went on a tour of the place—it was HUGE! It was fun to see our blacksmith friend Shadowhawk there, and it didn’t hurt to warm up by the forge either. It was a very cool and windy day.
There was an enormous building full of Scottish-themed stuff, including individual booths for all the major clans. I saw more kilts today than I have ever seen in one place before—mostly tartans but there were quite a few utilikilts also. I have a weak spot for kilts, so I’m not complaining.
We all agreed that for lunch we should spurn “American” food and go for something in the spirit of the event. So Walter and Flynn got haggis and I got a Cornish pasty and a Scotch egg. Everything was delicious but outrageously overpriced.
Then it was time for the one event we had all really been looking forward to—the pipes and drums of the North Texas Caledonian Pipes and Drums. They did not disappoint! We got a full hour of bagpipe music! And so did dozens of dogs. And so did an adorable baby in front of us who kept smiling and waving at me and Walter.
Then it was over to another location to listen to one of Lina’s favorite Celtic groups, Beyond the Pale. They’ve got one guy who plays hammered dulcimer, saxophone, flute, and tin whistle—and sings too.
Flynn had to leave early because I had noticed last night that a free accordion workshop would be offered, and Flynn has an accordion. So he went back to the car and got his accordion and got to sit in on a workshop with an accomplished musician and a bunch of other accordion players. I listened in on the last half of it myself.
The festival was really hopping by then. Hundreds and hundreds of dogs and people everywhere you looked! And most of them were drinking beer. Well, the people were. Not the dogs. I hope.
The final thing that I had really wanted to see was some Irish dancers, so we found that stage and watched some great Irish step dancing. First some teenagers came out, followed by successively smaller dancers until we ended up with some absolutely adorable preschoolers. So cute. All the dogs thought so too.
We did a little more looking around before heading out the gate, past the two DeLoreans that were on display there (hey, they were made in Ireland!) and back to the car. By then we had been there for seven hours and I was walking pretty slowly. Flynn took us out to supper and then came back to our hotel room for a cup of tea. It was a lovely but tiring day. It was a great Christmas present!
