Our Best Celtic Fest Tips & Tricks! What Should You Do and NOT Do at the Games?

Celtic festivals, Celtic music events, Highland Games, Celtic and renaissance fairs -- they can all be tons of fun!
BUT you can also have a miserable time at an outdoor festival if you don't prepare properly. And there are some unwritten rules of etiquette and good manners worth paying attention to.
For instance...
How should you approach performers at a festival?
What gear should you bring to an outdoor festival?
What should you know about port-a-potties / porta-johns?
What about food at festivals?
What should you drink at a Celtic festival?
Rocky and Erik have worked many events over the years, so they have a merchant's / performer's perspective on big outdoor events. And more than a few opinions! See if you agree with these tips and tricks, and tell us your own!
You can read more about festival prep on our USA Kilts Blog:
usakilts.com/blog/preparing-f...
Tartans of the day:
Rocky: Stewart Old Wilsons of Bannockburn colours
Erik: Cameron Erracht Muted
Mac: Red Hackle
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[@Branfaol1]

I heard haggis Burger and something in my soul said ...YES!!!! YES!!! YES!!!!!

[@kiltedpatriotatheart]

We went to the Highland Games two days ago, and it started out at 49 degrees, then moved up to 77. I wore a great kilt, which was nice when it was chilly, then left the plaid hanging down when it got warmer. Wear a great kilt!

[@HaggisDruid]

Yes, I knock. Best experience at a festival I had was at the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival, when Albannach's bagpipe player Donnie finished an awesome solo, and as soon as he stopped, the most powerful, earth shaking thunder erupted and rain began to pour so fiercely. He's a stoic guy on stage, and he couldn't help but crack a smile and raise his eyebrows in awe. It was just amazing. The worst experience happened a year later, when a nacho vendor served us cold pink pork after waiting in line for an hour. We didn't eat it of course, and we instantly showed them the dish to make sure they weren't serving it to anyone else and would cook the rest, but unfortunely I'm sure someone left that day with food poisoning.

[@maxwellfan55]

USA Kilts a lot of this is common sense but it is useful because an awful LOT of folks no longer exercise common sense in public, especially when they're click, camera happy, or cannot see when someone's engaged in something and expect an instant response. I don't know whether you mentioned it, but include this. Don't walk up to people to talk/take your picture with them when they're sitting quietly eating their lunch! I've seen people do this and 5minutes later they're still there yapping!

[@JW-fq1ec]

Cleaned porta potties during the MInnesota Renaissance Festival a few years back. PLEASE pick up after your self and be respectful to the people who have to clean up after you!

[@carolreid5405]

👍

[@kinglyzard]

Amen. The exact reason I don't use them.

[@ChibiPanda8888]

Good point. I try not to use them, but sometimes, it can be inevitable. I used to clean restrooms for a living so I know how bad it can be.

[@redscale82]

Never been to a festival. Goes to whisky fair every year in dressed in kilt (there are some who dresses up in kilts at whisky fairs here in Sweden). Ones a photographer working for a newspaper asked if she could take my picture.

[@Baylock746]

Good to know!! 🇺🇸💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙🇮🇪

[@danielmulcahi6327]

And watch out for the drunk lassies they love to lift up the pleats.😈

[@alistairbain6149]

I love you guys. Sensible, DTE, no BS advice. Great stuff 👍🏼 Thank you ☺️

[@christygum3384]

Great advice on the Imodium !

[@barbaricyawper14]

I once ran into Tommy Makem at an Irish festival about 20 years ago when he was rushing to a porto-potty. I just gawked for a hot second, said that I was a huge fan and a thank you. That was it. Let legends go in peace!!

[@ChibiPanda8888]

True. They already have enough people pestering them for stuff. Don't be "that guy."

[@chrissherer2047]

Old electrician here. You always knock! And you always be a decent human being. In the old days, assholes could get slippery feet up on top of some buildings!

[@kinglyzard]

My "war story" was years ago at a Renaissance festival in Coconut Creek, Fla. I went with a friend who proceeded to get hammered and make a complete jackass out of himself, heckling the jousters, costume wearers, etc. (Never heckle someone with a big stick). I was to say the least utterly humiliated. After about 20 min of his shenanigans, I began to ignore him and pretend I didn't know the bum. He eventually disappeared. I looked and looked for him until I finally left. He was waiting for me at the entrance; he had been escorted out of the park by Security. Was I ever pissed by then! Looking back, I can laugh, but it wasn't too funny back then.

[@nhines606]

Awesome advice

[@mandymagnolia1966]

Going to my first Central FL Scottish Highland Games this weekend and I’m super excited 😁 the last Scottish connection I found is through my dad like 700 years ago 😅 but being of Irish descent through my mom I thought I’d go and support 😊

[@MatthiasJRichter]

"Don't bug musicians between performances" Thank you!

[@timothycampbell495]

Not to brag, ok I'm bragging, but when Celtica plays our local festival we hang out with them between sets (when we're not shopping/watching the games/eating) and they usually do brunch at our house before hitting the road to their next festival gig 😎

[@joebaumgart1146]

I'm also a musician and it depends. If it's a kid I'm all ears. I might even let them on stage. If we're talking about something interesting like music, playing techniques, or even Music history, I'm cool with that. I have a bigger problem with people who bug me during a performance.

[@carolreid5405]

Excellent advice. Imodium. Don’t bug musicians on their ‘off’ times. Bring earplugs. For you or the children. Respect those who are in business at festivals not to waste their time, as their window of opportunity is small. Bring snacks and drinks. Also support local small business at the festival.👍

[@dougdraper4892]

As a participant in a parade, I do not have the option of being asked if I want my picture taken. But then I'm also in a very public function; it's anticipated. These clues go for just about any festival gathering, including ren faires.

[@ChibiPanda8888]

Yeah, I costume a lot (ren faites, highland games, comic cons), and I'm expecting people to ask for my picture or to just take it without asking. So I kinda feel that "it's anticipated" sort of thing.

[@steamgent4592]

Best memory was the first time I had haggis at the Delco Scottish Games (which alot of people said was disgusting) and it was delicious!! The problem with events, fairs, etc today is the highway robbery of sales prices. Food and drinks used to be the same prices as anywhere else and goods used to be regular or discounted prices. Today everything seems to be marked up 4 times the usual price or more. I've even run into vendors who mark up their products more at events then in their store or online. It's ashame because it keeps alot of folks away from events or go much less frequently.

[@joebaumgart1146]

A fellow Delconian? Which Wawa do you hail from?

[@ChibiPanda8888]

Absolutely agree with the "dress for the weather" thing. The games we have where I am (Greenville, SC, USA) are during Memorial Day weekend (at the end of May). It is always hot, and sometimes I wonder how some of the people I see at the Games don't die of heatstroke! ALSO, another thing... dont be pushy for timing everything out while at the festival. Slow down and enjoy it, and don't be rushing around and missing out on all the interactions and the ambiance trying to get to whatever you're trying to get to. I find that if you have someone in your group or whatever that is a stickler for time, you get very annoyed at that person very fast. Just slow down and enjoy the experience. You'll have a better time and experience things you wouldn't be if you're rushing around.

[@MultiOhioman]

As for wool socks, I’ll never wear Cotten again. Wool breathes better and reduces stinky feet!

[@Luv2tickt]

Props to the Cad Bane Pop!!! Also...would love to know what two tartans those are behind Rocky in the swatch book.

[@thestupendouschumley]

Bring a few handfuls of rolled oats and you're good if ever you get hungry as all get out. Otherwise, well said guys!

[@antoniojose8606]

Eu espero que aqui no Brasil vire costume! 👀👍🌟

[@KroNiKDluX]

Been going to Scottish game fests for years but this will be my first year I wear my Kilt. Do I have to have Flashers? Or is that over the top for over 100 degree weather.

[@timeastwoodbagpiper]

Great advice as usual. When you dance around the word 'rest rooms' do you actually mean the bogs, aka toilets? Or even portaloos or compost toilets?Beating about the bush is very uncool, even if you look as sharp as a kilted festival goer. Maybe it's a US thing...

[@leemcgann6470]

Worst experience- NO haggis! Worst traumatic experience- my friend & brother in his Great Kilt… blisteringly hot… way too much whiskey & beer… he’s tugging & rearranging his kilt WAY too much cause he is MELTING under the 15 yards of true Scottish wool tartan… he’s bent over in front of the cooler as I’m returning with a pile of Beautiful Haggis & there he is before God & everyone… with the family jewels just THERE! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Laochri]

What is that Blue & Green Tartan behind Rocky?

[@jobforanorn]

To sum up: behave and be polite ! When you have a booth at a Festival, you see many things, all days long, and it's sad to look at some people not giving a dime

[@chrissoulies8560]

What's people's opinions on wearing an arran sweater with a kilt?

[@kilteddwarf]

the festival food... well, take some whey with you... if you are in the camp for 4 days, getting enough protein is important... so... 200g whey for 4 days can help...

[@relicpathfinder2800]

👍👍👍

[@straycat1674]

Haggis burgers, haggis tacos, haggis pizza, I would say haggis meatloaf but is haggis a type of meatloaf?! Inquiring minds want to know.

[@ChibiPanda8888]

Hmm, that's as important a question as "Is a hot dog a sandwich?"

[@patrickwilliams3108]

The pipe band I played with got a gig on St Pat's. Halfway through a number, the drum sgt's eyes got really big. Some extremely drunk woman lifted his kilt and slapped a "Kiss me I'm Irish" sticker on his butt. He was good enough that he did not miss a beat.

[@ChibiPanda8888]

Oh boy, good for him, but I'd be bringing that lady up on some sort of charge. That's disgusting and an invasion of privacy.

[@patrickwilliams3108]

@@ChibiPanda8888 I agree it's disgusting behavior, but in a bar full of drunk people on St Paddy's and you're gonna call the cops? The band wouldn't have gotten out of there alive.

[@nq6417]

From Imodium to knocking on porta potty doors, you guys really thought this threw. Erik what is your tartan?

[@adaman-tathair-siorai6555]

I'd like to know what both these tartans are, but I've seen so many other people asking and getting no reply ...

[@aomaintenance]

Rocky's tartan. Anyone, anyone. I scrolled through the whole list. Got to McEwen. Close. Hey! That's me. Been wanting my clan for years. I think a couple Steward. Again close. Not quite.

[@aomaintenance]

I had a guy just yank open the door on me. I was about leaving. Buddy, like all others are empty.

[@aomaintenance]

I'm thinking Stewart??

[@aomaintenance]

Tartan colors are in the video notes

[@davidguymon1673]

But it's fun bursting in on someone as they are hang timing a Cleveland steamer.

[@leemcgann6470]

FLASK??? Lol I bring the whole bottle!

[@halfcalkt8367]

Don’t just lightly tap, knock like a cop!!

[@leemcgann6470]

Footwear… lol I’m almost always in flip flops!

[@briancavender9395]

Actually cheer on the athletes on the field

[@sethirwin1610]

Meat pies!!!

[@deeblack9393]

Don't bring up politics! Everybody has their own thoughts and opinions about them and it could get ugly real fast if you do.

[@carolreid5405]

👍

[@slydermartin6008]

@@carolreid5405 Double 👍👍

[@AhsokaTanoTheWhite]

Or religion, we don't want to start the Catholic and Protestant debate going.

[@timothycampbell495]

@@AhsokaTanoTheWhite Its amazing how fast a discussion about Culloden can turn into a Paists vs Prods argument.

[@bertiesaurus]

@@timothycampbell495 maybe in America

[@smacwhinnie]

Bermuda socks

[@tomswildandwonderfulviews]

imoduim lol

[@deanward3445]

So….. be a normal human being. Weird…!!!