[Western] CeltFest once again

[Jane Lusk]

Greetings, good gentles!

I felt one more peptalk for CeltFest at Odessa College next weekend 
(April 16 & 17) was in order.  So far, 15 people have volunteered for 
the SCA demo.  Thank you, Western Region!  If more of you are planning 
to come, please remember to SUBMIT YOUR NAMES for inclusion on the 
Fest's volunteer list.  This gets you in free as a volunteer for the 
Fest.  If you know of others who are planning to attend and may not be 
on the mailing list, please pass this request on to them.  Last year's 
1st annual CeltFest brought in 4000 people.  Here's a good opportunity 
to get some of those folks interested in our wonderful SCA.  Blacklake, 
I think this could be most beneficial to your group, since most of the 
attendees will probably be Odessa/Midland folks.  You have super 
talented SCAdians in your group (I'm picturing Japanese armor, exquisite 
blackwork and embroidery, chain maile armor, skilled fighters....), so I 
hope more of you can join us.

Speaking of fighters, we could surely use some more of you, if you're 
available.  Our schedule is flexible, but there'll be *at least* one 
bout light and heavy each day.  Did you read Modius' post about demos? 
Here's a good opportunity to have fun and show off a bit.  There's a 
bridge near our site.  Bridge battle, anyone? <G>

I've also been asked about dogs and motels (not necessarily in that 
order<G>).  Dogs on leash are rather a tradition at these celtic 
festivals.  You'll see big dogs, little dogs, dogs in kilts and Scottish 
tams...in fact, there's a costumed doggy parade at 2:00 on Saturday. 
Your best friend could even win a prize!

About motels--at the Fest's website (texascelticfestival.org, I think, 
or Google CeltFest 2005) there a listing of motels offering special 
rates for Fest-goers. FYI--the Crossrode Keepers are staying at a Days 
Inn on Bus. 20 in Odessa, which offered pretty good rates for a 
4-person-1-dog room, in which one of the persons was old (think AARP 
card).

We'll be keeping a sign-up sheet for names and contact info of 
interested spectators, and will forward this info to the respective 
shires/barony where these folks live.  We'll use the seneschal info in 
the Black Star, unless you'd rather we send it to someone else in your 
group.  Just let us know, and we'll gladly comply.

Well, that probably more than enough from me <G>.  Hope to see you at 
CeltFest 2005!

Your friend,
Elewys the verbose