Think of it as another St. Patrick's day

It is said that big oaks from little acorns grow. A truer word was never spoken when one reviews the tiny start of four families sharing a picnic and an ethnic background in Bond Park, and then views the Estes Park Scottish/Irish Highland Festival scene at the Stanley Fairgrounds thirty years later!

There will be pipers piping and drummers drumming, kilts and plumed bonnets, brave steeds bearing medieval jousters in combat, caber, stone and hammer throwing athletes.

You'll hear international and world famous singers and entertainers for free on the field and watch the "creme de la creme" of young dancers executing the Highland, Folk and Irish dances of their heritage. The dogs indigenous to the British Isles will win your hearts and tempt you to add a "family member". Fine merchants and talented crafters with exotic Celtic merchandise, beautiful clothing, exquisite jewelry, fascinating heraldry histories, and art in all its many guises will satisfy the most ardent souvenir collector. Add the clans with their gorgeous tartan displays, hospitality tents and joyous reunions, and you cannot but feel welcome and happy.

Parade lovers must not miss the 9:30 a.m. Saturday extravaganza of sight and sound held downtown on Elkhorn (Estes's main street). Come early, bring camera.

Hungry, are you? Then the Festival is a haven of the familiar American foods and Celtic specialties-turkey legs, hamburgers, ice cream, Scotch, beer, haggis, meat pies, funnel cakes and much, much more!

Come to Estes Park for the Festival. Renew your spirits, dance to the pipes, and hear the cannons roar.