Saturday was another exciting day. I was nervous that we had such a big turn-out on Friday that maybe the crowd would be smaller on Saturday - boy was I wrong! The crowds started bright and early, and lasted well into the night! I don't think we ever had a slow moment!
Saturday started strong with great acts for younger families. Celtic Dragon returned, along with some other local singers. We had a troupe of local Irish Dancers capture the audience's attention
and local celebrity Monte made an appearance wearing (or should I say, constantly losing) a kilt:
While I had been looking forward to the headline act - the Young Doubliners, I was actually surprised to find my favorite act of the festival ended up being a local group. The "Shamrockers" from up in Polson took the stage in the late afternoon and blew me away:
I spent several months living in Ireland in college and most nights would end with locals sitting around our fireplace singing old Irish songs (it felt like something out of a movie). This fine band of gentlemen not only had great voices, but they sang many of the songs I hear on those cozy evenings in Ireland. It really brought me back and I kept catching myself stopping in my tracks to listen to them.
After another fine performance from the Gothard Sisters and Enter the Haggis, the Young Doubliners took the stage and had the whole festival on their feet and dancing
The last notes were played, the last beers were poured and it was time for my least favorite part of the festival - tear down!
We had some awesome volunteers who helped up make quick work of it, and we might have actually be out of there before 2 AM!
It was another great year and a lot of fun! A HUGE thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who made it possible, to the fabulous musicians and dancers who shared their talents, and to the thousands of folks who came out to celebrate Celtic heritage and culture. Mark your calendars for July 24-25, 2015 and come join us for a great time!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.