Hello McDara Family,

Hope everyone is well. Thank you all who were able to attend, it was great seeing everyone. For those who couldn’t attend you were missed, and hope are doing well.

Here is a breakdown of the meeting and a schedule for build out and the festival.

As it stands, there is still no definitive answer on the park's lease renewal but will have more information in the later months and during the festival.

Camp passes are covered. When you next see Richard thank him for the tree trimming and camp passes.

As leader my goal has been to make sure everyone’s voice is heard, that everyone has what they need to be successful, to create community and connections between each other. I want us to feel safe, have fun, look good and eat even better.

I am happy to say the inkle looms used last year was a huge success in group bonding, skill building and improving costuming.

With that said I want to keep the bonding and self-improvement going this year and will have some sporran patterns and brat materials available for members to work on.

Just like the McDara inkle looms there will be leather tools for members to use. These leather tools and the inkle looms are to Stay With McDara and are to be shared with the members throughout the run of festival. No Hoarding the Tools/Equipment.

I also asked about who does not have a McDara fid.

The combination of woven belts, brats, sporrans, and fids will help create a more cohesive as a group.

There was talk about doing Stitch and Bitch again however the thought was to have it during Build Out for those interested in making shirts, bodices, pants and the like. I think that’s a great idea and have added it the build out schedule. I have no idea of what to expect and will be playing by ear.  

I have also been doing a side project for the group and for the last year I have been creating/combing/editing a new McDara Book which is a combination of old McDara book “Well Dressed Celt” Clan McCalin, Clan Calin and a host of transcripts from old and current members. This book is a collection of McDara lore, stories, recipes, games, clothing patterns, craft histories, equipment patterns and more. The goal for this is to help new and old members for inspiration and grow current McDara knowledge.

Other news

I may not be able to attend the build out weekends and the whole of the festival. I am planning on doing build out stuff during the week, most likely Wednesdays and Fridays of those same build out weeks. During the run of the festival I will be working with my supervisor on either getting Saturdays or Sundays off. I’m shooting for Saturdays. I will inform everyone as soon as I know.

McDara dues will be $40 per person. I would like it paid on the first or second weekend of build out. The dues go towards ice, snacks, propane, fire extinguisher and any repairs to the site. Reach out to Gaylene for the dues.

Run of Festival Schedule 5 weekends

• Families on dinner duties are also kitchen duty

  • Clean kitchen, set out snacks and take trash out

  • Bill is handling Breakfast, please ask him for any donations for the breakfast you can offer; eggs, bacon, batter…