Going to a Celtic Festival

I had previously been to a Celtic festival that was hosted in downtown Saint Augustine. There were a large parade and a long crowd of people wanting to get into Francis Field for the highland games, good music, good food, and all the best merchandise you can find about Celtic customs.

We were walking from the Lightner Museum when we saw the group of people with flags and banners walking in the road. I was mad because we missed the parade, or that we were about to. Luckily we didn't miss the part of the parade that contained Storm Troopers, Darth Vader, and a couple of Ghostbusters in kilts and tartans for the occasion.

When the parade left their route on Orange Street, we headed towards the field, and saw the men's group for the highland games warming up for their competition. Later in the day, the women were getting themselves ready for caber tosses and the same areas of competition as that of the men.

Inside the festival, there were booths and long rows of tents showing clan heritage and lineage, as well as some great food and music playing all throughout. I had a milk stout that was actually pretty good compared to some of the other milk stouts I have had over the years. But I would say that it was a lot of fun. I ate haggis and shepherd's pie, as well as some shortbread cookies and soda bread.

The festival was a lot of fun to relieve some stress, relax, and enjoy myself. The same festival comes every year, and it is a lot of fun seeing everyone come out and enjoy the occasion. There were not as many people dressed as druids, the local Celtic leaders back during Roman times, as there were last year. But there were plenty more decorative, horn, drinking mugs than last year. I managed to get my accessories I needed for a hand-fasting ceremony that will be happening at my own wedding. I look forward to the next year of festivities with some friends or family that are up here in time for the occasion.

While the Celtic Festival has come and gone, there are other places celebrating their own festivities for Saint Patrick's Day. The Barley Republic is a local restaurant in the area and they host a small gathering in the private parking lot near their business for a two day festival of drinking and merrymaking for some of the locals. I had to work on the first day of the celebration and I was flocked with crowds of locals and tourists who come for celebrations like this. Of course, Saint John's county has their spring break, and several other schools have been hosting their spring breaks in this area of Florida because of the history and fun activities for children of all ages.

Tonight is the last night of the festivities hosted by the Barley Republic, and maybe we won't be getting as much of a crowd compared to some. There are several plans to revamp Saint George Street and bring more life in areas closest to the fort, instead of near the Lightner Museum, so that all businesses can enjoy themselves and some profits from this growing city. If you're interested in the growing changes to this tourist town, I'll post an article and let you know about some of the details I have heard.