Ventura Hosts Sixth Seaside Highland Games
Scots Gather at Seaside Park in Ventura, California
the weekend of October 11 & 12
 

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—will signal the call to gather on that one special weekend when ALL are invited to join in the fun!

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!

The talent lineup is a Who’s Who of Celtic Entertainment.  Favorite Balladeer Alex Beaton will be sharing Center Stage with special favorites The Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh.  Celtic Spring will be delighted to share theirs with Golden Bough from Oregon and everyone’s favorite wicked ones, the Wicked Tinkers will be sounding off at the Celtic Rock Stage with John McLean Allan and his band Stand Easy.  That stage will rock on until 8 PM Saturday night.

Scottish Highland Dancers hold forth with more dedicated trophies and scholarships to heighten their 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.

The Seaside Highland Games is honored to welcome TWO AGM gatherings to the Coast this year--Clan Graham Society of North America and Clan Ross Association of the United States.  SAAA Heavies will demo what it takes to excel in Highland sports.

The best vendors to be found are on the field with everything from bangers to broadswords, fish and chips to the fèileadh beag (Scottish kilts to you)!  Real British ales and an opportunity to learn about Scotland’s Single Malts in a seminar with tastings!  Beth Gay will conduct her always enlightening classes and Christopher Scott Wilborn will test your Gaelic speaking skills and an authentic Gaelic Choir will regale you!

Morgan Arena will be a blur with Sara Lisiecki’s All Breed Herding Dogs, BYDAND FOREVER the Gordon Highlanders’ recreators and the Haggis Toss Challenge Competition!  The 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 the Ventura County Dart Association!

Don’t miss the Opening Ceremonies and Grand Parade which steps off at noon sharp on Saturday and on Sunday, a brief but meaningful Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans service begins at 9:45 AM..  Pipe bands will parade throughout the weekend and a colorful Closing Ceremony at 5 PM Sunday will send folks away with a hearty “Haste Ye Back” to return in October 2009. 

We hope to see you ALL in Ventura in October!  Bring a jacket—the Pacific breezes can be cool in the late afternoon.  

John Lowry, Chieftain of the Seaside Highland Games, was a featured guest on Champagne Sundays Radio Show co-hosted by Blend Magazine Editors Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith. The show aired live on Sept. 14, 2008. To listen to the entire, unedited show, please click here. To listen to John's interview, please double click on the Play button below.