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Friday, October 23, 2015

Is A Kilt A Costume? Busch Gardens Says So, Denies Entry To Man Wearing Scottish Garb

UPDATE: Busch Gardens says kilts are now welcome at the park, whenever guests want to wear them.
After the story of the kilt-wearing man who wasn’t allowed into the park hit the Internet, Busch Gardens posted a statement on its Facebook page (h/t to Consumerist reader Shea), announcing that though it has to “adhere to a strict no-costume policy” during Halloween events, it’d changed its mind on the topic of kilts.
“We regret any confusion this has caused, and have clarified that kilts are permitted in our parks during these special events, just as they are on a typical day. We welcome our kilt-wearing friends out to enjoy Howl-O-Scream,” the park’s statement reads.
——————ORIGINAL STORY BELOW——————
What passes for a costume for one person might just be considered a normal outfit for others, but at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA, there’s no gray area when it comes to men wearing traditional Scottish garb: a park guest said he was denied entry because he had a kilt on.
That goes against Busch Garden’s anti-costume policy, the park said, especially during its Howl-O-Scream Halloween event.
But the Norfolk, VA man says he wasn’t trying to dress up as anything other than who he is. He’s of Irish, Scottish and English descent, and six years ago, he started wearing a kilt about every other day to do things like go grocery shopping and other mundane, everyday tasks, to show his pride.
“I’ve been a customer for decades and a regular pass holder, and this has left a terrible stain on the honor of my culture as well as my ethnic pride,” he wrote on his Facebook post along with a video of his outfit.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Suit the hell out of the park and demand an apology!

Anonymous said...

That place was wonderful when it was owned by Anhaiser Busch. Once InBev bought them out things started going downhill. Used to co twice a year, haven't gone in the last 2. It's a shame because the park itself was always so beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Denying entry to this gay man is absurd. Even if they made it right, the deed was done.