Kilt, anyone?

Yesterday we went to the Highland Festival in Estes Park, which turned out to be a fun but cold day. We thought we were dressing warmly, but apparently we needed our full winter gear for this occassion, as it decided to rain the entire time we were there in the freezing mountain valley. We had never been to anything like this before (except the Renaissance Festival, like I said), and it was a truly unique event. From the moment we stepped out of our car and walked behind a family of 5 all dressed in matching kilts and plaid accessories to the bowling balls shot from 7 cannons before we left, it was a sight to behold.
My two favorite things we saw were the Scottish and Irish dancers and the sheep-herding dog demonstration (you're asking, what??). Charlie really liked the sporting events, including throwing a small boulder as far as you can, throwing a big stick with a bowling-ball sized weight at the end after spinning 3 times, and hurling a 56-pound weight over a 17-foot bar. Here are some pictures from the day.




Decked out Scottish man. Note the row of porta potties in the background



The dog obeyed so many different commands and it would lie in the grass like it was invisible.


And that's why the sheep followed orders.


They had a parade of Highland dogs and these were the biggest, the Irish wolfhound.

I thought these were cute, they look like mini-airdales.

These dancers reminded me of dolls, and their hair reminded me of beauty pageants.



We found the "Stewart clan" to which I am distantly related on my Grandpa Stewart's side.


And Charlie found this kilt. Actually, I made him pose with that, and no, he did not buy it or wear it.

Ooh, and I forgot one part of the day. We saw this band called "Brother" that was kind of a rock band, featuring a guy who played the bagpipes with such fervor it was like the electric guitar.