Chicago Celtic Fest

**Brewboy** · 15th September 08, 01:12 AM

As some of you have already heard, Chicago Celtic Fest was rather damp this year. We had pretty much nonstop rain for the two days of the festival. Apparently we broke some records relating to rainfall in the city. Hooray. This didn't make the true believers miss the festival, even when the festival ended up missing us. Galician even made it down from New York to get rained on. Here are some pictures:

The first thing we ran into when entering the fest were the Highland Games:

Here are some of the kilted competitors awaiting their turns:

They also had an exhibition of herding, although ducks were used instead of sheep:

auld argonian got us into the fly Nova Scotia tent where it was dry, there was free beer, free food such as lobster and crab cakes was being served, there was free beer, and music was being performed-did I mention there was free beer? Here's auld argonian and Galician:

There were some pipers from the Stockyard Kilty Band that showed up and did what pipers do best:

Later on Great Big Sea played at the band shell, and I'm a huge fan so Galician and I went over to see them. Right before they went on another band, the Elders, decided to thank the crowd for hanging out in the rain by giving their CD's away. Galician and I both picked one up. Here are Galician and I enjoying the show, but wishing we were drier:

After the festivities on Saturday, we went back to my place to meet up with some Indian friends of mine. For the switch from Celtic to Indian we all put on lungis, an Indian MUG. In the photo are Galician, my buddy Srikant, and myself:

The next day Galician and I planned to go to the festival, but when we got there, the festival had been canceled. Apparently we had broken the record for rainfall for the city, and the pooled water was causing the electricity to short out at the fest. So, it was on to the favorite haunt of the Chicago Rabble, the Duke of Perth:

A farewell pint for Galician:

It was a wet, but interesting Chicago Celtic Fest. We all hope Galician had a good time, and hope he gets his cell phone back!

I know he has some pictures of his own, and once he's settled back in NY, hopefully he'll post them. Hopefully next year will be a bit drier.

**Highlander31** · 15th September 08, 01:26 AM

Sounds like you had a good time in spite of the weather.

**Scotus** · 15th September 08, 03:07 AM

Thanks for sharing the photos, Brewboy. I was wondering how it was going there. I could not believe the rain. I was here fighting back the flood waters and enjoying the view of my Loch, which was once my parking lot.

**McFarkus** · 15th September 08, 04:36 AM

Sorry I was such a party-pooper. After Saturday morning I couldn't face any more rain.

**Standard** · 15th September 08, 04:59 AM

I feel for you guys upstate, it rained the entire weekend down here too. At least you got in out of it at night and didn't camp like we did.

But seriously, thanks for sharing the pictures, hope I can make it up next year.

**auld argonian** · 15th September 08, 05:59 AM

So you guys got to The Duke! Spending another day in the rain would have been a disaster but guid on ye for even going down there to find out that they had cancelled. Brave souls!

I know that the City doesn't want to take money out of its own pocket but they really should have considered putting the squeeze on Navy Pier or McCormick Place to accommodate the event. Usually Jazz Fest gets rained out not Celtic Fest!

Absolutely great to see both of you on Saturday. Great time! Great guys!

Best

AA

**Jock Scot** · 15th September 08, 06:08 AM

Oh come come chaps, all you fellows did was get a bit wet ------just like real Scots do most days! Great pictures by the way.

**Galician** · 15th September 08, 07:10 AM

Thanks for the pics! Meeting you and other other Chicago-area rabble was a pleasure. I just wish Ike hadn't come to the party too!!!!

Pics to follow as things settle down.

**beloitpiper** · 15th September 08, 07:23 AM

If I knew the Nova Scotians were so accommodating, I would've braved the flood!

Great photos.

**Brewboy** · 15th September 08, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Galician

I just wish Ike hadn't come to the party too!!!!

Can you call a bunch of guys eating pizza, drinking beer, and watching Dr. Who a party? Either way it was a LATE night. I dropped off at about 7:30 last night, until I woke up and posted the pics.

Note: Ike, not I. This is what happens when I try to read and post without enough sleep.