Montgomery County Scottish Irish Festival - September 10th - 12th, 2010

by William Brobst
(Green LAne, PA, USA)


Montgomery County will be hosting the Eleventh Annual Scottish Irish Festival on Friday, September 10th, Saturday, September 11th, and Sunday, September 12th 2010 at Green Lane Park in Green Lane, Pennsylvania.

Enjoy this three day experience of family oriented fun from the Scottish and Irish cultures including live entertainment, music, dance, food, Scottish and Irish imports, arts and crafts, and hands on cultural exhibits, demonstrations, and special activities for children.

The event will start Friday night with an evening concert by headlining bands Tree and Norsewind, from 6 PM to 10 PM. Saturday will run from 9:30 AM to 10 PM with music from the Martin Family Band and The Hooligans and conclude Sunday with a Ceilidh, among other entertainment from 10 AM to 5 PM. Scottish and Irish entertainment will be provided throughout the weekend. Performers and demonstrators will include Bridget Burning Clearly, Pipe Bands, Irish Step-Dancers, Highland Dancers, Society for Creative Anachronisms, Celtic Face Painting, and welcoming back the sheepdog demonstrations and highland games. Additionally, classic and Celtic food vendors and merchants of authentic Scottish and Irish wares will be on site.

“The festival is a unique and fun filled event that everyone in the family will enjoy,” noted Mark Shope, Park Supervisor.

The event will take place at Green Lane Park rain or shine, in Green Lane Pennsylvania. Free admission; a five dollar parking fee is charged.

If you would like more information about this program, please call Green Lane Park at(215)-234-4528 or visit: http://parks.montcopa.org/sifestival.

The park is owned and operated by the County of Montgomery. The park is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

Comments for Montgomery County Scottish Irish Festival - September 10th - 12th, 2010

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Sep 19, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		a new green lane?
by: Anonymous

It doesn't seem as though we are ever going to see the festival at green lane again but here is a link to a different show in Bucks County that sounds like lots of fun.
They may not have the music we loved at green lane but if enough people showed up and made suggestions-who knows?
here's the link
www.villagefaire.org
Sep 10, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		just another...
by: Anonymous

part of history....

Pottstown Mercury Friday 9/9/11 Sound Off
http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/09/09/opinion/srv0000013687878.txt?viewmode=2

Pottstown Mercury 9/9 Cancelled
http://www.pottstownmercury.com/articles/2011/09/09/life/srv0000013715734.txt
Sep 10, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		The county should make money on this event!!!!
by: Anonymous

WHO IS IN CHARGE OF RUNNING THIS SHOW?

If is very disappointing that This event is cancelled, but embarrassing that the county loses money on this event!

I would think that The directors involved in the county and those hired to run this event would have a business management degree. Maybe the person in charge of the event should have been a business person. I am very disappointed that this was a costly event. I would assume there were over 10,000 people that attended this event. How could you possibly not make any money????

Two years ago, they were asking for donations at the event. I tried my hardest to find where those donation bins were and could never find it. Last year they said they are charging $5 for parking. Again, we pulled in and no one was around to accept the money! I would gladly pay and entry fee and "pay to play".

However, no one was running the show to make this a profitable event, the county should be selling food and drinks and make a ton of money. I only ever saw small vendors selling a few items.

They should have corporate/local business supporters. With the amount of people that attended, I would think local businesses would surely contribute for advertising.

GET SOMEONE IN CHARGE THAT CAN MAKE THIS A PROFITABLE EVENT!!!!!!!!!

If you can't find anyone, I will do itt...

Oh and did I mention, how couldn't the county make money on this event?
Sep 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		oh no!
by: Christine

I thought maybe the rain would impact the festival and then I read the comments. I'm so disappointed! We have been going to the festival ever year since the first one.
Sep 07, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Will miss the Irish Celebration
by: Betsy

My name is Betsy...my mother was Irish and she encouraged me to do what I can to celebrate the fest as long as I can. I will surely miss those young girls dancing their hearts off to get a round of applause. But I will really miss the food and bag pipes even more. I only live 30 minutes from the gathering and we work so hard all year ....so we mark our calendar and get together with friends from Elverson which we don't see except for the fest. Now we have to find something else to do on that weekend. BOO HOO...NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.Maybe you could charge a small fee to keep it going. Please,try to keep it going. Lots of angry people looking forward to it. From Gilbertsville , pa
Sep 02, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
by: Anonymous

The Scottish/Irish Fest is one of our favorite FAMILY events in the fall. We have family come and we make a day of it. the crowds increased every yr so..... the county got to be making money. its just terrible and very sad. i know many ppl around town and my family are very dissapointed.
Sep 02, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		What is the Problem?
by: Anonymous

My 23 yr old daughter(college bound) was asking for the dates so she could fit the festival in her schedule. We have been coming to the festival for years as a family event. We will surely miss it. Charge admissions & parking it is a famial & cultural event that should continue for years to come. You hear it all the time new management getting rid of working and popular programs because they don't fit into there plans. Well the new management needs to get with the program and find a way to keep this popular cultural event going.
Sep 01, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		THE OFFICIAL WORD
by: Anonymous

Per Mark Shope, Park Supervisor, in answer to my query about the reason for cancellation and the possibility of a revival of the festival in the future: "The festival has been cancelled due to budgetary reasons. We do not foresee it being continued."
Aug 31, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		can we come anyway
by: Anonymous

You've heard the expression" what if they gave a show and nobody came?'. Well "what if they DIDN't give a show and EVERYBODY came?. Food for thought. The OFFICIAL reason for the show being cancelled was budget cuts in Montgomery County. However, if you live in Montgomery County you know what taxes you're paying and how alot of it is being wasted on ridiculous projects like fancy patterns in street intersections and so much wasteful pending WITH OUR MONEY. Sorry! I'm just really going to miss this show and I hope somewhere down the line someone finds a solution. A few people have tried to take over the show and no one from the county would even talk to them. Maybe we just need to keep pushing the right people until someone listens. This also seems to be the only page taht is actually cureent and people can voice their opinions. KEEP IT UP!
Aug 31, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sorry to find out.....
by: Anonymous

I was looking for info on this year's festival when I discovered that there will be no this year's festival. That's a shame. I'd always enjoyed myself during my five or so visits over the years, and I was looking forward to it this year.

My only small complaint was that it was a bit tough to get internet info for previous years' festivals, but that didn't seem to hurt the crowds. I'd love to see an official explanation for the cancellation, but I have a feeling that'll never happen.

Note to the bozo who wrote on Aug 14 that he's glad it's cancelled: Well, I'm glad you're glad, but what is your point? If you thought it was that bad, you could've simply not come this year. There are thousands of others who are not glad it's been cancelled, so I doubt you'd have been missed.

Aug 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		The Food
by: Kirk

The food is awsome and the people are friendly. Alot of people take their dogs and even they have a good time. One doen't have to spend alot of money to have a good time. There is something there for everyone,no-matter what age.I can't think of anything to improve the festaval, it is one of a kind to go to. One does't have to be Irish, it,s for everyone. Keep up the good work for those who put it all tgether. Thanks
Aug 23, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		no explanation????
by: Tina

truly unbelievable! The turn out as getting larger every year and it was the event I looked forward to the most. Had already invited more new families to attend! What on earth happened and why isn't there an explanation? So unbelievably disappointed!!!! Is it ever returning?
Aug 19, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Cancelled?
by: lawler

Anyone find out why this was cancelled? I know a lot of things were moved around last year, but it was still fun. I could see if it wasn't drawing crowds, but sure looked pretty full on the Saturday I was there last year. I don't mind paying the couple dollar parking fee if that is what it takes to keep it going. Funny, just recently mu daughter was asking about collies and I told her we'd check out the dog rescue groups that are always at the festival. When I went on line to find the dates, I saw "cancelled." WHy nothing in the papers?
Aug 15, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Please give correct info
by: Irishoneof11

Has this been canceled for 2011?

please let me know at irishoneof11@yahoo.com

thank you
Aug 14, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		ashame but needed
by: Anonymous

It is ashame to see it canceled, I've been attending this festival for many years as a volunteer, Ive seen it change over the years drawing more and more people. The problem I saw was the festival started to attract the wrong types of individuals. I had many of them curse/yell at me and act so ignorantly. The festival could have still been a success if it had not been for these type of people. There was nothing wrong with charging a small admission fee because the performers had to be paid and the park had to reap some kind of advantage afterall its just becoming more and more rundown. It was free for so many years. The downside in my opinion is there will be very little profitability over the next few years due to the bad economy, raising the camping rates, and all the money they spent on building the amphitheater. The amphitheater was a waste of money now in my opinion because they will no longer have any large events such as the Scottish Irish Festival. The only other large event they have is the Cradle Of Liberty Boy Scouts event which hopefully they will have again very soon as that includes fireworks. I had a friend that was the perfect candidate to be hired as a park ranger at Green Lane Park, yet they went ahead and hired someone else however they pay the park rangers less then $12 an hour. Green Lane Park will never be the same unless they ask the public for input.
Aug 14, 2011
Rating
starstar 		glad its cancelled
by: Anonymous

I have been going to the fest for the last five years, and last year was the pits. The new managment ruined this fest by charging admission and making the event feel more like a theme park than a celtic fest.
This fest was never perfect, but at least it was enjoyable, but last year was the pits, and I'm glad the gready managment pulled the plug on it! If you want a great Celtic fest try the Celtic oysterfest in Plowtown, Pa every mid August, ten times better than greenlane ever was plus they serve alcohol, and the food vendors are better.
Aug 08, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		September 10th 2011
by: Anonymous

anyone have any interest in showing up for a friendly get together anyways?....lets say 11am to 3 pm? bring your own food/drinks, obey all park rules and regulations
Aug 03, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Why?
by: Anonymous

I heard that it was that the residents don't want it anymore... really? Move! This is such a shame to lose a great tradition.
Aug 02, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		WHY???
by: Anonymous

NO.... why is is cancelled.. this is an annual outing each year with my granddaughter.. we spend the day and look forward to it each year... WHY?????
Jul 13, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Maybe next year
by: Morga Mitchell Delaney

What a shame there will be no festival this year. Only montgomery county could take a wonderful free family oriented festival and ruin it.I will truly miss seeing all the incredible people that participated in the show but even more so the people that came out and brought their friends and kids to share in an outstanding cultural event.I'm also sorry for the much under-appreciated staff and volunteers who gave so much of their time and energy to this festival. I hope somewhere down the line it will continue, even if there must be an entrance or parking fee or WHATEVER IT TAKES to get it going again.
Sep 10, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great Family Day
by: Krista

Coming out tomorrow for our 5th year. Look forward to it for weeks. Even my pre-teen kids get excited!! Thanks to all who participate and arrange the whole event.
Sep 05, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		The Swordfighting
by: John Lane

Your event is awesome. I especially loved the swordfighting lessons and demos from those guys next to the parking lot. I hope you have them back this year!
Sep 03, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Main events location
by: Patrick

Please move the festival main events back over to the other side of the lake. The festival was much more enjoyable when they were over there!
Aug 07, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Children's entertainment
by: Jolly Holly the Balloon Twister

I would like to come on Friday and entertain children by twisting balloons. Who do I speak to to get permission to do this?
Jul 18, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		competitions
by: Paul Davis

I think that on the 11th there should be solo drumming and piping competitions and on the 12th there should be pipe band competitions, and they should be sanctioned by the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association! Or at least try to get it for next year! Here is their website address: http://www.euspba.org.
It would generate even more entertainment and probably revenue.
May 02, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Scottish Irish Festival in September
by: Patricia

Hi William,

Thank you so much for letting us know about the Scottish Irish Festival in September. It sounds like a fantastic weekend, I'd really enjoy the music.

Loved seeing the photo, thanks for submitting it,

Patricia

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