40th Annual Feast of the Hunters' Moon

[Mike]

Every Fall, the local historical association puts on a re-enactment weekend, to commemorate a feast that was known to have taken place in this area, during the mid-1700's. As the weather would begin to turn, fur traders from Canada (as far away as the Montreal, Quebec area) would load their canoes with their furs and begin the journey south. There was a large gathering in this area as various armies, native American tribes, traders and camp followers would come together to celebrate the bounty of the season and their friendships.

This event has drawn as many as 60,000+ guests, whilst there are well over a thousand participants. You can watch blacksmiths at work, weavers with their looms, candlemakers and soapmakers. There are several re-enactment groups working together to bring about the feel of the mid-18th century events. There are vendors selling everything from period fabrics, period clothing, period weaponry, jewelry, dried flower arrangements all the way to some of the yummiest food.

This year, Starringashrslf drove up from Indianapolis and joined HRH and I for a day at the Feast. The weather was cooperative and we had a pretty good day. There were some area Celtic bands playing and we took in each of their shows.

We left the Feast in late afternoon and went to a local Irish pub for dinner, where one of the Celtic bands (Highland Reign) was playing the evening.

All in all, it was a l-o-n-g day with plenty of good food and drink. Starringashrslf was a bit disappointed in that she didn't get to see Otto the sword-swallower , but other than that, the day went well.

There were not many photos, but here are a few -


We missed the formal opening ceremonies, as we were standing in a hellacious line to get Forfar bridies (a man must prioritize life, you know!), but we caught some of the groups coming back to the encampments from the ceremonies.


<sigh> It is always a shame that the largest group of kilts is the 42nd Royal Highlanders.













This is a group that some here may recognize as Father, Son & Friends. And for those that know this group, ask Starringashrslf whether or not the crowd went wild.

I snapped a couple of images of this group's set, particularly because of the young lady wearing blue, at stage right. She, believe this or not, was signing the band's songs to the audience. I commented this was the first time I had ever seen anyone signing Whisky In the Jar!


The band members were hooting it up with her and asked at one point if she 'slurs' her words when she gets tipsy.





This is a group from Indianapolis, Highland Reign. They're down to just a three-piece group, but they can still have a lot of fun and get the crowd involved.






When we arrived at the pub, there was a fair crowd watching a fitba match, but we explained we wanted a good seat for the evening's entertainment. And did we ever get a good seat. The 'stage area' was scarcely big enough for three fellows to stand side-by-side and we were close enough to reach out and touch them.

Before anyone gets in here to say otherwise, I want it on record that whilst a bit of a food fight did break out, I was completely innocent. I had already switched over to ice water (yeppers, I was the designated driver ) and took absolutely no part in the wee skirmish.

During the band's second set, the pub was invaded by two groups of Purdue students that were on two separate pub crawls. And as this was late in the evening, the place got a bit rowdy for a while.

One young lady in the first group was wearing a shirt that said, "The best one-night stand you will ever have". I was sorely tempted to tell her I was from Missouri, but I maintained my excellent behavior, even through that bit of temptation.

(For those living outwith the States, Missouri is known as the 'Show Me State'.)

Now to recover from the day and start planning for next year's Feast.

Quote of the day: "If there are any young ladies celebrating their 23rd birthdays, they should come up front and kiss the piper!"

Guid yin Les, and it even worked!

It's all part of being a pirate, you can't be a pirate with all of your parts...

[Mike]

Maitland, you and Mairead will like this one. Whilst at the Feast, I was wearing one of the sporty, devilishly attractive and incredibly affordable Saor Alba fleece pullover/sweatshirts. A couple came up to me to ask if that was indeed a Saltire on the front and wanted to know what Saor Alba meant.

They then shared they are planning a trip across for next summer and as they made to move on, the gentleman said he was a strong believer in liberty and he hoped I would carry on with the message.

It just goes to show how we never know how far we are spreading a message.

[starringashrslf]

Originally Posted by Mike

All in all, it was a l-o-n-g day with plenty of good food and drink. Starringashrslf was a bit disappointed in that she didn't get to see Otto the sword-swallower , but other than that, the day went well.

I was ever so disappointed to have missed Otto. The only thing that cheered me was indeed seeing the CROWD GO WILD!

Highland Reign was so much fun. Les is such a personal guy, I thought it was really cool that he came and sat with us before the show and then during the breaks.

Originally Posted by Mike

Before anyone gets in here to say otherwise, I want it on record that whilst a bit of a food fight did break out, I was completely innocent.

Innocent, innocent!! Good one

[Mike]

It was Les and John-Allen in the food fight, remember. That was me, being the perfect angel.

[starringashrslf]

Originally Posted by Mike

It was Les and John-Allen in the food fight, remember. That was me, being the perfect angel.

Oh, I see you have conveniently forgotten the items thrown toward HRH

[Mike]

I didnae throw anything at HRH. I was wrongfully and unjustly accused of snitching the odd chip or two from his plate , but at no time did I ever instigate or involve myself in a food fight. (I must be losing my touch)

I was innocent, the entire day, I swear it. Best behavior, throughout.

[Maitland]

Mike Wrote:

Whilst at the Feast, I was wearing one of the sporty, devilishly attractive and incredibly affordable Saor Alba fleece pullover/sweatshirts. A couple came up to me to ask if that was indeed a Saltire on the front and wanted to know what Saor Alba meant.

Ah Mike, we need to speak about where I can get a new one. I had a little accident with mine and Mrs Maitland decided to throw it in the bin Personally I thought it was salvageable but women have a different outlook on these things

I was hoping to get a bi-lingual one, Saor Alba/Free Scotland. The quality of the T-Shirt was so much better than the quality available here at home.

Mike Wrote:

I was wrongfully and unjustly accused of snitching the odd chip or two from his plate

Personally I would have stabbed you with a fork, if of course you were guilty in the first place

M...

[Mike]

I quit before he resorted to the fork.



Errrr, I mean I WOULD have quit before he resorted to the fork. I wasn't actually snitching food, you know me better than that.

Do you mean the grey polo shirt with the bratach dubh embroidered on it? Those were a one-off, custom project. Debbie made four of those for me. You, Scott, BD and I each got one.

The one I was wearing at the Feast is available through the link in that other post. There are several different styles of shirts available for you to choose from. Large Saltire on the front, with Saor Alba! underneath and a bit of the Declaration of Arbroath on the back.

[starringashrslf]

Originally Posted by Mike

I quit before he resorted to the fork.



Errrr, I mean I WOULD have quit before he resorted to the fork. I wasn't actually snitching food, you know me better than that.

Ok, you just keep telling yourself that. Just remember, I was at that table too!!

[Panache]

Originally Posted by Mike

...We missed the formal opening ceremonies, as we were standing in a hellacious line to get Forfar bridies (a man must prioritize life, you know... ...

I had to go to my good friend Mr. Google to figure out what the heck a Forfar bridie was...meat pies! Ooooooooooh! Lovely meat pies...

Originally Posted by Mike

...One young lady in the first group was wearing a shirt that said, "The best one-night stand you will ever have". I was sorely tempted to tell her I was from Missouri, but I maintained my excellent behavior, even through that bit of temptation.

(For those living outwith the States, Missouri is known as the 'Show Me State'.)

Actually, I knew that. Thank you Jacques Tournier and his fine film "Night of the Demon"

Sounds like a great time!

Cheers

Jamie