Colorado Tartan Day festival photos

[Nighthawk]

Well, Colorado's Tartan Day festival is done and over with! The weather cooperated mostly, and the Ren Scots signed on 2 new members! We did have one small hitch on Friday during setup, though- it got really windy! We were setting up our main tent, the big bugger in the background:




...and a nice little windstorm blew up! We had the four corners staked and roped, I was starting on the back, and someone else was starting on the sides, and the whole front just tore right out of the ground! I was holding on to the back for dear life, and thought I was going to end up looking the tail on the back of a giant white kite! Once we got the rest of the group holding the thing down, though, we managed to get it all staked down nice and tight, and set up, and all was well. So- without further blather from me, here are some pictures!

First picture of the day- Chocolate face! Our youngest member:



This was my very first picture of the day, and it's one of those "Wow! I got that moment perfectly!" pictures! Pure dumb luck...

Next-

My tent had to be retired at the end of last season, and the new one is not yet finished, so my space was somewhat... limited... so I put out some raw materials, and a few finished products, and did what I could for demos.



Darla spinning yarn and telling a visitor about what she does. She has spun, dyed thread for, and is knitting me a pair of hose. I believe the yarn she's spinning may actually be for the feet of my hose. Can't wait to get those!!



The "Cinderella Safety Model" spinning wheel that we let people use. Something about there being no needle on which to prick yourself. We know it's not period, but it looks nice and it's safe for kids to be around.





This wonderful, sweet lady came here from Germany. She and her husband were heavily involved in living history in England and Germany before they emigrated here. They were impressed with our enthusiasm and eye for detail, and decided that they really wanted to join us, even though we were from a period later than they were used to, and from a different culture altogether.



They're a bottomless font of knowledge!

My other half:



Doc and Bob during opening ceremonies:

[Nighthawk]

My rather constricted work space...



The ladies prepared lamb stew and passed out samples! Mmm... Yummy...



The armory is always a big, interesting draw:





Our German gentleman giving rapier lessons:



This is new to us this year- it's one of the many things he and his wife brought to us!

This young man is one of our newest members. This is his first event with us, and first time in a kilt of any kind! Get him started right! I'm sure his skill with wrapping the great kilt will improve with time- but not at all bad for his first time!



Our smithy talking to the wee'uns! He loves the kids, and he's so good with them!




Our new piper!! Woot!! We have music in the pub again!! Some of you may remember him from this board as WildRover:



Les and her lovely drop spindle:



There is more to follow!

[Bugbear]

Like.

[Nighthawk]

Next!!

And our newest member, Chelsea I think she said her name is, signing up!



And our biggest draw... The combat demos!



The demos actually started at like 2:30 because the pipe band close to us kept playing, and we were drowned out every time Doc started yelling "LIVE STEEL DEMONSTRATIONS!!" He'd start yelling... and they would drone... er... drown him out. So we waiting until they were done!

MC Doc Dave in da house, yo!



Demo of the ways in which a sword was used, which in reality means that it's a very pointy poll arm at it's heart!



This year, we're giving a basic education on the parts of the sword, how the cross guard can be used to capture, the pommel can be used a bludgeon- basically showing how the sword is a complete weapon package, and just a blade.

Rapier and dagger combat:





My pictures don't do this part justice. I didn't know about it, so I wasn't situated to take the best of pictures. I'll be doing more at the next festival.

Locaber... foot plow?

[Nighthawk]

Locaber ax vs longsword:



New recruits!



We decided to take volunteers this year to help us show the tactic used to break the Highland charge at Culloden. These kids were very willing and excited volunteers. Again... this was something of which I was uninformed, so I didn't have the best of positioning to take pictures! I'll get better ones next time.

And last but not least- my buddy Tim brought his band over to play Highland Cathedral for us!

[Bugbear]

Hmmm, "Locaber ax vs longsword"
Like.

[Nighthawk]

Hmmm, "Locaber ax vs longsword"
Like.

Yeah, Doc Dave is a terror with the thing!

[Whidbey78]

Nice pics. Looks like a good time!

[Ancienne Alliance]

Excellent ! Thank you for sharing this with us .


Best,

Robert

[Nighthawk]

Excellent ! Thank you for sharing this with us .


Best,

Robert

You're welcome! I mentioned the Scottish Festival/Highland games on the Renaissance Festival board, and was asked what festival policies are regarding "people going in garb." I made the mistake of telling the person that Ren Fest garb is a little silly unless you're with a reenactment group. I made the mistake of telling the person that the games are a modern cultural festival, and that wearing costumes is not really appropriate... and MAN, did I get ripped a new one! Called arrogant, told I was turning my nose up at people... Oh well. We did have a great time, and I was able to show lots of kids what their wool sweaters looked like when the sheep was still wearing it... Kids love that sort of thing. I take several types of hides, and I take horns and antlers because so many people don't realize that they're very different! It was fun, and I always learn as much as I teach.