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Irish for one hot day.
Aug. 2nd, 2015 12:00 amThank God it was only mid-80s with a breeze instead of the 90+ crap we had all day. I headed to Dublin OH (one of the very nice suburbs in Columbus, the one I had hoped to move to had I stayed with my practice there). I do believe this Irish Fest is now officially bigger than Boston's. If not it's a close second.
It was even more crowded than usual which is saying something. There are a ton more food vendors now and less of the other vendors. Still plenty of music, plenty of Irish storytelling and cultural booths (but I seemed to miss the dogs. I only saw one Irish Wolfhound). It was an interesting thing with me and the vendors that would have happened when I first started going to this fest 19 years ago. I have SO MUCH Celtic jewelry that I didn't buy much more. There was plenty of 'commercial' stuff. Probably came from China. It was pretty, mind you. In fact two of the dragon ones I considered buying but a) it was almost as much as the hand crafted stuff and b) the sellers were sour faced so I DID go to the area where all the actual hand crafters are. SO much nice stuff.
I got to talk to GreenWitch who is from Athens and I've bought from her before (and probably will do at the PawPaw fest in Sept where the stuff will be a bit cheaper because it's not blasting the vendor on stall fees). Anyhow she's involved with the other steampunk group that Airship Athena is teamed up with in Sept! And she told me about how Ohio U has a book of Kells that you CAN go and look at in its collections. I need to call that library and set up a session.
I did get a copper pendant with the ogham for the oak on it (The oak is my 'sign' in the Celtic reading system). And I got a set of Celtic kitty earrings. And a book from an Irish Setting author. Looks promising and that was pretty much it other than my usual stop at The Infamous Welsh Cookie company I got the traditional black currant cookies plus the dark chocolate/orange and got adventuresome with the maple/bacon ones. I'll take pics of the jewelry at some point when I'm not exhausted.
I did get a mango italian ice and a shaved ice with watermelon/raspberry/tiger blood flavorings (a good way to get water into you) and a 'late night slice' pizza slice. I wish the new vendors were a bit more adventuresome with the food (the one irish one was but who the hell wants stew when it's broiling out?)
And I listened to SO MUCH music which is half of why I go. I got to hear Socks in the Frying Pan and met the gentlemen who were friendly and adorable and signed the cd I bought from them (this is why I like non-streamed music. autograph whore). They almost had me convinced to by the graphic on a t-shirt (I also liked Gaelic Storm's Irish dancing Stormtrooper) Here's two by them
And the first group I heard was actually Scottish: Skerryvore Really enjoyed their stuff too. Got a CD but didn't get it signed (I'd still be up there if I stood in line for everyone)
Lunasa was probably the most well known group I saw. I've seen them before. Always a good set with them.
and the last group was Whiskey of the Damned sort of Celtic punk/heavy metal (more the former) They were so loud they drove the old folks out and I actually got a seat. This song was sort of their power ballad if you will
and more like the rest of their stuff
After I left (four hours later, and more than a little dehydrated) I hit Uno's for dinner to burn off the last of that gift card mom bought by accident. Mushroom pizza. yum.
THe casino was the last stop. I didn't do so hot but it was fun and they had live music too, the Boondoggles, a country band that were pretty good.
As I drove home I was reminded of how much I love to drive in the country at night. Also there was a full pumpkin orange moon of Circleville which is funny because they're known for pumpkin fest. It was silver by the time the light pollution was gone when I got home.
And I learned idiot landlord never turned the hot water tank back on. Nothing says fun at 11:30 like ice cold water and I had to shower because I stank. Luckily I know how to turn it on.
It was a fun day. I always enjoy Irish fest.
It was even more crowded than usual which is saying something. There are a ton more food vendors now and less of the other vendors. Still plenty of music, plenty of Irish storytelling and cultural booths (but I seemed to miss the dogs. I only saw one Irish Wolfhound). It was an interesting thing with me and the vendors that would have happened when I first started going to this fest 19 years ago. I have SO MUCH Celtic jewelry that I didn't buy much more. There was plenty of 'commercial' stuff. Probably came from China. It was pretty, mind you. In fact two of the dragon ones I considered buying but a) it was almost as much as the hand crafted stuff and b) the sellers were sour faced so I DID go to the area where all the actual hand crafters are. SO much nice stuff.
I got to talk to GreenWitch who is from Athens and I've bought from her before (and probably will do at the PawPaw fest in Sept where the stuff will be a bit cheaper because it's not blasting the vendor on stall fees). Anyhow she's involved with the other steampunk group that Airship Athena is teamed up with in Sept! And she told me about how Ohio U has a book of Kells that you CAN go and look at in its collections. I need to call that library and set up a session.
I did get a copper pendant with the ogham for the oak on it (The oak is my 'sign' in the Celtic reading system). And I got a set of Celtic kitty earrings. And a book from an Irish Setting author. Looks promising and that was pretty much it other than my usual stop at The Infamous Welsh Cookie company I got the traditional black currant cookies plus the dark chocolate/orange and got adventuresome with the maple/bacon ones. I'll take pics of the jewelry at some point when I'm not exhausted.
I did get a mango italian ice and a shaved ice with watermelon/raspberry/tiger blood flavorings (a good way to get water into you) and a 'late night slice' pizza slice. I wish the new vendors were a bit more adventuresome with the food (the one irish one was but who the hell wants stew when it's broiling out?)
And I listened to SO MUCH music which is half of why I go. I got to hear Socks in the Frying Pan and met the gentlemen who were friendly and adorable and signed the cd I bought from them (this is why I like non-streamed music. autograph whore). They almost had me convinced to by the graphic on a t-shirt (I also liked Gaelic Storm's Irish dancing Stormtrooper) Here's two by them
And the first group I heard was actually Scottish: Skerryvore Really enjoyed their stuff too. Got a CD but didn't get it signed (I'd still be up there if I stood in line for everyone)
Lunasa was probably the most well known group I saw. I've seen them before. Always a good set with them.
and the last group was Whiskey of the Damned sort of Celtic punk/heavy metal (more the former) They were so loud they drove the old folks out and I actually got a seat. This song was sort of their power ballad if you will
and more like the rest of their stuff
After I left (four hours later, and more than a little dehydrated) I hit Uno's for dinner to burn off the last of that gift card mom bought by accident. Mushroom pizza. yum.
THe casino was the last stop. I didn't do so hot but it was fun and they had live music too, the Boondoggles, a country band that were pretty good.
As I drove home I was reminded of how much I love to drive in the country at night. Also there was a full pumpkin orange moon of Circleville which is funny because they're known for pumpkin fest. It was silver by the time the light pollution was gone when I got home.
And I learned idiot landlord never turned the hot water tank back on. Nothing says fun at 11:30 like ice cold water and I had to shower because I stank. Luckily I know how to turn it on.
It was a fun day. I always enjoy Irish fest.
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