The weekend of October 11 & 12 will see Scotland in all its color and pageantry come alive on the Fairgrounds as the Seaside Highland Games return to the Pacific Coast at Ventura. The pipes—the Great Highland Bagpipes of Scotland—will signal the call to gather on that one special weekend when ALL are invited to join in the fun!
Hundreds of pipers and drummers along with all sorts of Scottish/Celtic entertainment will descend on the Ventura County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, the 11th & 12th of October and the gates are open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm each day. A wonderfully entertaining weekend of music, dance, athletics, children’s events, shopping, food and drink! Something for everyone and age doesn’t count! Seaside is known for bringing tradition to the field—with a twist! The ageless Celtic pastimes are honored but with a big nod to today. The pipes will play the tunes handed down through the ages—but don’t be surprised when you hear new and modern sounds emerging from those ancient reeds!
As usual, the talent lineup is a Who’s Who of Celtic Entertainment. Favorite Balladeer Alex Beaton will be sharing Center Stage with returning favorites The Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh. Celtic Spring will delight and share an indoor stage with Golden Bough from the Northern California/Oregon region and everyone’s favorite wicked ones, the Wicked Tinkers will be sounding off at the Celtic Rock Stage together with the great Scot John McLean Allan and his band Stand Easy.
Scottish Highland Dancers hold forth on the AMTRAK Stage near the Main Entrance and AMTRAK Station, which is just steps away. More dedicated trophies and more scholarships heighten that competition. McBride Hall will be full to overflowing with Scottish Country Dancers hosting their own Ceilidh Band, Rigel, the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles and the Ventura British Brass. Meanwhile, the Children’s Glen will have every imaginable activity for the younger set from building blocks to athletics and fencing—yes, sword fighting—rendered safe for all to partake.
Huge Scottish Heavy Athletes of the SAAA (Scottish American Athletic Association) will show what it takes to toss the sheaf, the stones, the weights and the hammers and will demonstrate their technique at turning the caber! You can’t miss them in Lot B by the ocean and near Santa Cruz Hall.
The Seaside Highland Games is honored to be hosting TWO Clan Society annual gatherings this year--Clan Graham Society of North America and Clan Ross Association of the United States. We welcome you to the Games and to the wonderful sights and experiences of California’s Central Coast!
The best ethnic food and merchandise vendors that can be found will be on the field with everything from bangers to broadswords, fish and chips to the fèileadh beag (Scottish kilts to you)! British and American beers and ales and an opportunity to learn more about Scotland’s Single Malt Whiskies in a seminar setting with tastings! Beth Gay, the Queen of Genealogists, will conduct her always enlightening seminars and Christopher Scott Wilborn will improve your Gaelic-speaking skills and an authentic Gaelic Choir will regale you!
Morgan Arena will be hopping with Sara Lisiecki’s All Breed Herding Dog demonstrations, BYDAND FOREVER the Gordon Highlanders recreators and the Haggis Toss Challenge Competition! The fine Highlander Warriors reenactors will perform adjacent to Center Stage and you will find fiddlers, harpists and all manner of music as you wander the grounds. Enjoy the new Darts Competition hosted by Bryan Gosser and the Ventura County Dart Association as they occupy Santa Cruz Hall.
Don’t miss the Opening Ceremonies and Grand Parade as they kick off at noon sharp on Saturday. Sunday morning brings a brief but meaningful Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans service beginning at 9:30 AM.. Pipe bands will parade periodically throughout the weekend and a colorful Closing Ceremony at 5 PM Sunday will send folks away with a hearty “Haste Ye Back” for the October 2009 Games. We hope to see you ALL in Ventura in October! Bring a cover—the Pacific breezes can be cool in the late afternoon!
Aye!
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