Dublin TX Highland Games & St. Patrick’s Day Festival

The little town of Dublin TX (Irish Capitol of Texas, so says Rick Perry!) is the site of the Dublin Highland Games. This year we got to throw on Saturday the 17th, St. Patricks Day itself.

Dublin is a small town with a huge heart; the people are out in droves at the parade and fairgrounds. Everything is done up in green, from the painted shamrocks on the intersections, festival signs, streamers and all the fabulous dressed up in their best Irish outfits. Lots of good food, fun and frivolity, and even historical re-enactment!

It was a beautiful day, not too sunny, little wind and no rain; it couldn’t have been a more suitable day for throwing. There was a big class, for the men and masters divisions. The women’s class was 4 throwers, and it was an excellent showing for the ladies.

As always the festival atmosphere at Dublin is great, with a crowd of people always moving in and around the throwers, hooting and hollering for the big throws and everyone loves the caber toss. Dave and Nancy (who also host the Salado Highland Games) do an amazing job and make the day easy and enjoyable.

I was very pleased with my throwing that day, and picked up some good scores as my sheaf is coming together, and my stones are moving in the right direction (i.e. farther away from me!). The best part is always the people, spending a day with the fun Highland games people makes all the travel worth while and enjoying a laugh with everyone is the best part of the day.

The drive home reminded me that Texas is a surprisingly beautiful place.

Texas Scottish Festival - Recap!

Texas Scottish Festival, in Arlington, Texas, boasts three days of throwing, live music, shopping and history for attendants.  Two separate fields at opposite ends of the festival allow crowds to see the the whole festival while visiting throwing events on each end. The main field sits just next to the main music stage, offering up a variety of Celtic music throughout the day and well into the evening.

Wichita "Do-Da" Recap!

Wichita Highland Games and Celtic Festival was a new and expanding show in its second year. A soft-side, tents-only festival in an open public park, it offered music, food and plentiful shade.  The feel was that of a Celtic festival crossed with a fantasy faire. The festival was well-run, with lots of room for future growth among the vendors and performance stages.

Scarby, Recapping the Home Game!

This year saw all Texas throwers, all the time, in the Women’s class at Scarborough Faire Highland Fling (held within the Scarborough Renaissance Festival grounds in Waxahachie, Texas). While the field may be small in size and number of throwers, it is big on heart and tradition.

Th' Gatherin' - Recapping

There is no more unique way to experience Highland Games and the culture that surrounds it than to explore Th’ Gatherin’ of the Ancient Festival O’ Beltane.  Held in the town of Wakeeney, Kansas, in late April Th’ Gatherin’ is a full weekend affair. Think Burning Man meets Highland Games, and you have a pretty good idea of the feel that the Wakeeney Games carry.  Camping opens on Friday night and campers start setting up early to claim the best spots. Many of the gamers will spend the weekend trekking back and forth from the field to the campsites.

Texas Scottish Festival - Arlington June 3, 4, & 5th

This weekend starting Friday afternoon through Sunday the biggest Scottish Festival in Texas is taking place at the Maverick Stadium (link to map) in Arlington (just outside of Dallas).

The Texas Scottish Festival

The Women's Highland Games are taking place starting at 5:30PM on Friday night and the games run all day both Saturday and Sunday.

We are going to be there competing Friday and hope to see lots of supporters cheering us on! Come out for the rest of the excitement as well... games, food, music, Scottish dogs, drinks, wares and the fabulous people!