St. Paddy's Day Parade, Spokane, Washington, 2012

**Blupiper** · 18th March 12, 12:18 AM

Decided to take myself to the parade this year. This early in March, the weather here is iffy, could be snowing, sunny, or like today--45 and cloudy, with a bit of a breeze. I deicded on my Irish rugby hoodie, my Hunting Stewart from AtlantaKilts and a grey newsboy cap. My daughter caught a pic of me. She said "smile," then snapped me before I did.

There were pipebands

The colors:

And Irish dancers in the streets:

Irish Wolfhounds and dogs that wish they were:

This guy liked my kilt--I liked his truck. A trade couldn't be arranged:

That was just a small taste. It was, all in all, an enjoyable event.

JMB

**CMcG** · 18th March 12, 01:31 AM

The thought of that little dog wishing he was an Irish wolfhound is so cute. Cheers!

**Tartan Tess** · 18th March 12, 04:00 AM

That was fun! Great pictures.
Year's ago, I was in an Irish dance troop. That picture made me remember what it felt like to dance your way down a parade route.
I do like that truck!

**Spartan Tartan** · 18th March 12, 06:19 AM

I know this is about kilts, but I LOVE that truck!

**OC Richard** · 18th March 12, 06:45 AM

I can't get over the strange uniform of that one pipe band.

Their jackets look like modified USMC Dress Blues jackets, which is fine, but they're mixing Feather Bonnets and Spats (associated with military style Full Dress) with civilian sporrans. It would look so much better if they were to go out and get long horsehair sporrans for everybody.

In the photo of the "sweater band" I noticed that a young woman piper in the band is wearing a feminine skirt rather than a kilt. That's interesting because it was common maybe 20 or 30 years ago but very rare today. Nowadays women in pipe bands usually wear the same uniform as the men.

**Blupiper** · 18th March 12, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I can't get over the strange uniform of that one pipe band.

Their jackets look like modified USMC Dress Blues jackets, which is fine, but they're mixing Feather Bonnets and Spats (associated with military style Full Dress) with civilian sporrans. It would look so much better if they were to go out and get long horsehair sporrans for everybody.

In the photo of the "sweater band" I noticed that a young woman piper in the band is wearing a feminine skirt rather than a kilt. That's interesting because it was common maybe 20 or 30 years ago but very rare today. Nowadays women in pipe bands usually wear the same uniform as the men.

OC Richard:

Yes, I see your points. The one pipeband is our local adult pipeband, the Angus Scott Pipeband. They have two band uniforms, the one you see and another, more civilian one. The doublet you see is a military style one, with piping accents on the cuffs and collar, band insignia on the shoulder, Inverness flaps, etc. The other look is an Argyle jacket, glengarries, white shirt and tie. The sporran pictured more properly belongs with the civilian look. Horsehair would be a more uniform choice, but the $$ are an issue. The other pipeband (with the sweaters) is the Shadle Park High School Pipeband. They use Henderson tartan for active members and alums wear Black Watch. The young lady on the left of the picture looks like she was wearing something different from everyone else and I think maybe she was also part of the drill team or a highland dancer. That skirt looked more like a Nationals dance outfit, but for parades, it's all pipers on deck! Hope that clears things up.

JMB

**mookien** · 18th March 12, 02:47 PM

JMB: Very nice pics. Thanks for posting. I would loved to have seen the Irish dancers perform, and to have heard the pipes.

Good looking SHM kilt. I would love to get one like it someday. You've given me one more dash of enthusiasm.

John

**clanciankent** · 18th March 12, 05:16 PM

Great pics!

**KiltedDixon** · 18th March 12, 05:32 PM

Love the pics! Loved your sporran too. Thanks for posting.

**creagdhubh** · 23rd March 12, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I can't get over the strange uniform of that one pipe band.

Their jackets look like modified USMC Dress Blues jackets, which is fine, but they're mixing Feather Bonnets and Spats (associated with military style Full Dress) with civilian sporrans. It would look so much better if they were to go out and get long horsehair sporrans for everybody.

In the photo of the "sweater band" I noticed that a young woman piper in the band is wearing a feminine skirt rather than a kilt. That's interesting because it was common maybe 20 or 30 years ago but very rare today. Nowadays women in pipe bands usually wear the same uniform as the men.

Good points, Richard. Photos are great!

Cheers,