McPherson Scottish Festival in Kansas
Once upon a time I was in a vehicle that parked in front of a motel in the middle of Kansas when out stepped a man, a grown man, in full Scottish appearing dress regalia. Kilt, sporran, shoes, straps, hat with feathers and generally all manner of bird pieces and cloths hanging from somewhere attached by all kinds of jewellery. I turned to my compatriot and said,
-The only thing worse than an Irish festival is a Scottish festival.
Speaking of the middle of Kansas, if you fancy driving out there, now that the dog days of summer are behind us, the McPherson Scottish Festival & Highland Games takes place on the weekend of September 23 & 24.
Irish culture being entwined with Scottish culture - much like the legs of celtic animals - you can see Irish Dancing there, along with Scottish Country Dancing and Clogging. And Tullamore, fresh from their appearance in Crown Center at the Kansas City Irish Fest will be among the performers, as will Irish harpist Gráinne Hambly who plays with Scottish harpist William Jackson to make up a duo called Masters of the Celtic Harp.
I have been to this festival and it’s well run in a beautiful park setting with plenty of room to enjoy all the various festivities - Highland Games, Falconry, British Cars, and “live steel” weapon performances which include real, functional swords with little or no protective armor. Funny enough these shows are filled with comedy, thrills, and family fun.
One thing I should mention. Beer. Have you ever been to a Scottish Festival and looked for beer? It’s pop for you I’m afraid. That’s the real reason you have such things as Celtic Festivals. So the Irish element includes the beer.
Don’t ask me why so many Scottish Festivals in North America have evolved without beer. I can’t explain it. Well okay I can. Once upon a time you weren’t supposed to have fun (a noble concept), so you gave up the beer, hummed airs instead of singing, and read the bible.
None of this is the reason I won’t be attending this year. Nope, that weekend I’m busy shampooing my dog.
See Also:
• Kansas City Scottish Highland Games Festival
• Weston Irish Festival
• Fáilte St. Charles, Festival in Missouri
• Cornish Nasty: Problematic Little People
Eolaí gan Fhéile:
Beer? Try getting a coffee among old-line central-Kansas people of Scottish heritage. Heresy! Damnation!