ESTES PARK — The Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival runs through Sunday in Estes Park, transforming the town into a carnival of Celtic culture.
The multi-day annual event features music, food, jousting, athletic competitions and other attractions rooted in traditions of the British Isles.
The event started more as a family get-together in 1976, but founder James Durward has nurtured it into a massive gathering that is expected to draw about 90 clans and more than 80,000 people this year, making it the largest festival of its kind in the country, Durward said.
One of the highlights is Tattoo Estes, a performance of patriotic music by marching players. The term came from a British military command to close beer taps and perform for the commanding officer, Durward said.
“There’s a lot of history to it, a lot of pomp and ceremony,” he said.
Another main attraction is the jousting competition. About 30 jousters plan to compete this year.
“This isn’t choreographed jousting,” Durward said. “It’s a true tournament.”
