An inflatable Loch Ness monster lurked the waters of Memorial pond as Celtic enthusiasts donned tartan accessories amidst a backdrop of lilting bagpipes Saturday at the Black Hills Dakota Gathering of the Clans.

"You find that a lot of people get really excited about this," said Dave Evans, a Renaissance Scot with the Living Historical Association from the Denver area. "You can't find this in a library, on TV or in a museum - we're alive and right in front of you."

Six clans set up informative booths between vendors selling traditional Scottish food, jewelry, clothing and other Celtic paraphernalia. A parade, live music, dance workshops and many competitions including a "best knee" kilt contest attracted both Celts and non-Celts.

"It's unusual and it's great fun," said Evans. "You have the chance to research your heritage if you are Scottish and to learn more about it if you aren't."

Jacqueline Carrico with the Clan Sinclair had a long list of last names on a chart in her tent. She said that anyone with one of those last names in their genealogy was connected to the Clan Sinclair.

"Having ancestors in the clans - that's what ties us together," Carrico said.

Helen MacFarlane Magnusson of Rapid City said that a clan is represented by its name and gathers under their banner which is their tartan, or their unique pattern and color of plaid.

"Their tartan is how they defined themselves in Scotland," said Magnusson, whose father is Scottish. "There are many Scottish clans in the Black Hills but not all of them gather together."

For people in the Black Hills who do not have a tartan, a special Black Hills tartan pattern has recently been woven and registered. It has a red rim to symbolize the red soil around the Black Hills, green for trees, white for streams and gold to represent the minerals in the Black Hills.

From patriarchs in full traditional Scottish garb to little girls in velvet medieval dresses to men who could have stepped out of the movie "Braveheart," the festival attracted all age groups.

"The draw to join is to experience the history alive all around you - what it felt like to feel a sword in your hands, to hit someone with a sword, to wear a kilt, to do the dances. It brings out a lot of pride," Evans said.

Holly Lemay of Rapid City plays the Irish whistle and the flute in the Celtic band String Thaw, and helped organize the festival. Even though she is of German-Russian heritage and her husband is of French-Canadian heritage, they love participating in the Celtic activities.

"It's such a fun culture; the heritage is very rich," Lemay said. "We don't have enough meaning in our own American culture, and I think it's great to learn about other cultures."

The Lemays lived in England for three years and they toured around Scotland and the British Isles during that time, meeting the people and becoming interested in the culture. They have been attending the Celtic Festival every year since its revival in 1998.

"I love how lively and interactive it is. It's very easy to participate with the dancing, parade, competitions and music," Lemay said. "Our focus is to make it hands-on."

Lemay said the attendance numbers have been relatively consistent the past few years but there is a huge potential for it to grow. She said the biggest problem is that they need more people on the organizational team and more money to support and enhance the free event.

"If we could get some more big sponsors, we could be more far-reaching in terms of publicity," said Lemay.

This year's president of the gathering, John Duggan, said that they have no plans of ever charging for the festival.

"We are struggling to keep it going," said Lemay. "People are getting burned out, and we need some big sponsors. That's our big dilemma: we don't have enough money or manpower."