Sherman Celtic Festival (March 23-24, 2019)

For the third year in a row Sherman, Texas, played host to a successful and much admired Celtic festival.

Participants in Celtic festivals are an interesting lot.  We are kilted and proud of our Irish, Scottish, and Welsh roots.  Tartans of all colors, patterns, and stylings are everywhere and the bagpipes certainly stir the blood.

Image source online.

This year the festival was two days long rather than a single Saturday.  The weather was certainly not ideal, but that did not stop the kilted Celts from showing their family pride.  With several mainstages (on named for the late, great Jed Marum) the music could not be beaten this year.  

From Viking warrior demonstrations and the Highland games to phenomenal vendors and a new venue, the Sherman Celtic Festival continues to grow and improve each year.  A few pictures are below:

Southwestern Regional Rendezvous, 2019.

For years we are have done Civil War, or WBTS, reenacting.  We still do, but as with most living historians, we have begun to cast a wider net.

For about the last year, we have been attending the odd mountain man rendezvous.  For the first time ever, this spring we attending a weeklong campout.  The event was called the Southwestern Regional Rendezvous, or SWRR.

This year the event was held in Aquilla, near Hillsboro, Texas.

Spanning over a week, the SWRR travels around to different sites each spring, and typically falls on Spring Break for many schools.

Rifle and pistol shoots of pre-1840 black powder weapons is always a highlight, but so is the knife and 'hawk throws.

Fire starting

Practicing throwing the tomahawk

A little archery practice in too!

The Highlands Games was a particular highlight

Stones Throw

Tossin' the wee caber!

A Highland laird and his fair lady!

There were also activities for the kids:

Dipping candles.

Mining for treasures in the sand pit in The Commons - those clothes will never be the same again!

A particular highlight for me, however, was the music!  Jamming took place somewhere just about every night!  Great friends and fun!

At the end of the day, however, it was an escape pure and simple.  We look forward to next year's SWRR in Henderson, Texas.

Pearl Bluegrass

There are hidden treasures everywhere!  This weekend, we found one!

That treasure is Pearl, Texas, and their monthly bluegrass reunions.

(image source here)

Located about 2 hours from the DFW metroplex and 90 minutes from Austin, Pearl is a small community in the hill country that has created something special.  

The old school ceased operation in 1958, and for a number of years, the building sat empty and crumbling.  Then, at some point in the last 30 years or so, the suggestion was made to hold an old fashioned music jam.  The result was phenomenal and the community turned out in force!  The free programs are held on the first Saturday of the month, and the donations contributed have resulted in the restoration of the building along with the addition of various amenities.  A number of full-hookup RV sites surround the community center.  And music is almost non-stop in the classrooms from Friday through Saturday night.

I have been hearing about this for years, and I am sorry that it took me so long to visit!  If you are into old-time music either as a fan or a picker, you should not miss Pearl Bluegrass.  You can find the link to more information here.

Moonlight and Magnolias 2018!

In truth, I thought I published this months ago... oh well!

Every Spring the local Sons of Confederate Veterans camp, J.L. Halbert #359, hosts what I believe to be one of the best Southern balls in the south!  This was the 15th year for Moonlight and Magnolias, so I thought I would post some pictures from this year's event!

Preparing for the dancing!

The signature of our dance!   They have been flying every year at M & M!

Brother Brandon and I representing Clan Fraser.  While not technically Civil War wear, we wanted to focus on our new-found discovery of a new heritage angle.

A view from the dance floor.

Taking a break from the dance.

Our family.

Sweet Song String Band

Looking Good!

Looks like a good picture for the Christmas card!

Bevils' Rangers 2018

It has been awhile since I posted.  School work, the job, and other such activities have kept me more than occupied.

In reviewing some of my photos from the fall I realized that I had not called attention to Bevils' Rangers!

Historically in Deep East Texas, near Jasper, there was a fort built to protect a fledgling logging industry.  It was owned by a man named Bevils.  Today, Bevils' Rangers is a muzzleloading club of really neat people.

We were invited to their annual rendezvous in October!  We had a great time and are anxious to go back!

Below are some pictures.

Stephanie, in her first time out, won the Sharpshooter competition!  Now she gets to make next year's target.

Close to Halloween, so a bit late, but time to carve a pumpkin!

Quite the young archer.

First time to really shoot a bow.  I know now how wrong I was!

Flue Shoot...  Fire the flue arrow, and the arrow that lands the closest wins.

Sadie and Ramey tending the fire.

3rd Annual Tyler Scottish Festival and Highland Games

This weekend, amidst the storms that sometimes happen in this part of Texas, we attended an outdoor festival.

This time, it was in Tyler.

Among the roses and pine trees, on the campus of South Springs Baptist Church, was the 3rd Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games.

A part of what makes homeschooling Sadie possible are the odd jobs and vendor opportunities that we seek out, and the Celtic gatherings are always a favorite.

Stephanie sells Lilla Rose hair accessories, and she loves them, and it always pleasant to see other women react as she does.  

A major draw at these events are the games, which for the most part predates modern track and field events.  From the Braemar stone throw (shot put with a boulder) to the sheaf toss (below), heavy athletes come from all over to compete.

And we cannae forget the caber toss!

Another major element of most of the Scottish, Irish, and Celtic festivals is music. This one was not a large event, but there were a few class acts.

Bagpipe band "Kilty as Charged" and Hugh Morrison.

Ricky Pitman, "The Bard of the South."  He is the author of "Confederate Alphabet," which Stephanie illustrated.

 A proper Highland Coo calf and a falconer discussed the history of falconry.

 The Scottish Clan Village.  Sadly, my own Frasers were not represented at this one.  Maybe I can change that within the next year.  Also, a sheep-herding demonstration was a highlight.

The event this year was a good one, but small.  Overcast and cool until the afternoon, the humidity rose ahead of the storm that brought tornados near home.  We were given the nod to break down early, but the skies opened up with heavy rain as we loaded the truck.  

We both felt like drowned rats, but many came by her booth and went home with pretties, and well pleased.  Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we will be back next year to get in touch with our inner Scot!