Technology’s intrusion on ‘family time” has prompted some parents to insist on a complete shutdown of all computing devices during dinner. Others simply refuse to allow their children access to a tablet, laptop or smartphone.

Instead of battling the waves of the future, certain families tap into time-honored events. What says “family time” better than donning a cambric shirt and woolen kilt and marching alongside your distant cousins as part of a local Scottish/Irish/Celtic festival? Clans, after all, are simply family groups that trace their lineage to a common ancestor.

This September, people all across northern Colorado will celebrate family in a unique and moving way: They will gather, for the first time since 100-year floods devastated the region a year ago, to affirm their solidarity. And to strengthen the resolve that has seen all of them through a grueling and costly rebuilding process.

As their ancestors did centuries ago, the festival re-enactors will march in parades, participate in Scottish jousting and athletic championships, revel in the symphonic delights of massed bands and, as must be expected from ScotFest, share in a “wee dram” of adult beverages reaching the 6-, 12- and 18-year marks. They’ll also attend on-the-hour catapult launchings of bowling balls into a nearby lake dotted with a handful of inflatable Loch Ness monsters.

On opening day, as the clans gather on the parade field, their ancient rivalries now buried in favor of the present good, hundreds of pipers will kick up a rendition of “Scotland Forever.” Ranks of drums will underscore the pipers’ theme. And, as the unofficial festival anthem finishes, thousands arrayed in historic regalia will join in a single, massive cheer, drowned out only by the precision arrival of four jet aircraft, sweeping low in deafening homage to the assembled humanity. With nary a kilt out of place.

As the masses break ranks to share a meal, channel their inner lumberjacks to toss tree trunks or kick up their heels in a fine Irish step dance, it’s certain that nothing – not a television show, a smartphone app or even a merciless flood – will separate them from family time.

Despite the forces of change and nature, some things, blessedly, endure.