ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXIX
Celebrates The Queen Mary’s Heritage Feb. 18-19
Experience Scottish History with Traditional Highland Athletics & Dancing, Live Entertainment, Authentic Cuisine and Whisky & Beer Tastings
The Queen Mary is pleased to welcome back the annual ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXIX February 18-19, 2017 from 9AM-6PM. Experience the rich culture and history of Scotland first hand through an array of authentic activities, athletics, dancing, entertainment and cuisine all in ode to the Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy.
Burns Supper: Feb. 17, 6:45 p.m.
ScotsFestival: Feb. 18-19, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Rock Yer Kilt Concert: Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Eighty-seven years ago, in the quaint seaside town of Clydebank, Scotland, construction on the Queen Mary began. Exemplifying the finest craftsmanship of the country, the Queen Mary’s legacy is undeniable and today the ship’s heritage is celebrated through the two-day ScotsFestival honoring Scottish culture.
ScotsFestival honors nearly fifty Scottish clans & vendors throughout the weekend with professional and amateur competitions in drumming, massed bands, darts, piping, Highland dancing, and Highland athletics. The Scottish Highland Games, a pre-cursor to today’s Olympic Games, were designed to test the strength, skill and technique of ancient warriors by face offs.
The official opening ceremonies for the Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival begin with the traditional Grand Parade of Clans & Bands with an Address to the Haggis on the Parade Platform. Daily festivities include Border Collie sheep-herding, firing demonstrations, performances by the Royal Scots Greys Calvary, LA and OC Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Celtic Harp Workshops, Story Songs by Wren of Iniquity Ensemble and many more historic reenactments.
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ACTIVITIES:
- Official Opening Ceremonies
- Official ScotsFestival Opening Ceremonies begin with the traditional Grand Parade of Clans & Bands with an Address to the Haggis. Daily festivities include Border Collie sheep-herding, firing demonstrations, performances by the Scots Greys Calvary, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Celtic Harp & Wren Iniquity Ensemble and historic re-enactments.
- Highland Games
- For centuries, Scots have been honoring the ancient Celtic tradition of competing in Scottish Highland Games - tests of physical strength, skill and technique. ScotsFestival will present the Olympic-like athletic competitions in caber toss, throwing the weight for height and distance, the hammer throw, putting the shot, sheaf toss and darts.
- Wee Athletics
- Kids will have the opportunity to participate in Scottish games and athletics specially designed for the wee ones to enjoy.
- Highland Dancing
- Traditional Highland dancing was once considered an athletic event due to the stamina and physical strength required to perform a variety of traditional Scottish dances, including the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance and the Scottish Lilt, all of which will be performed at ScotsFestival.
- Piping Competitions
- ScotsFestival features a wide range of piping competitions, including solo piping, ensemble piping, and of course, the incredible pipe band ensemble. Watch the pipe bands march together in perfect unison while playing traditional Scottish favorites likes, “Scotland the Brave” and “Amazing Grace.” Forty members of the US Marine Corps Pipe Band are set to perform a traditional hymn with the LA Scots Grade 1 Pipe Band, the premier pipe band in the United States.
- Robert Burns Supper (Feb. 17, 6:45 p.m.)
- Celebrate Scotland’s best-loved bard, Robert Burns, with a traditional Burns Supper including haggis, whisky, traditional Scottish music and dancing in the Queen's Salon aboard the World-Famous Queen Mary. Hosted by the formidable John Hannah, the supper experience includes a complimentary cocktail, the piping of the haggis, a traditional four-course dinner and all the Scottish entertainment imaginable.
- Rock Yer Kilt Concert (Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. -12 a.m.)
- Experience live music from the best Scottish, Gaelic and Celtic artists this side of the pond including Sligo Rags, Semi Permanent Fennigans., and the Pat Benatar cover band Best Shot. Nominated by L.A. Music Awards for “Best Tribute Band”, Bonfire, the AC/DC tribute band, is set to headline this year’s Rock Yer Kilt ScotsFestival concert.
- Whisky and Craft Beer Tastings
- Swirl your Scotch and spout a slur of whisky knowledge with the best of ‘em after a crash course in aged malts. Whisky tastings, craft beer tastings, barrel room tastings and reserve scotch flights can be added onto any ScotsFestival activities.
- Merchant Mile and Celtic Culinary Corner
- Shop for your favorite Scottish treasures in the Merchant Mile and learn how to cook and sample some of your favorite traditional Celtic cuisines in the Celtic Culinary Corner.
The Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival hosts World Champion Scottish Highland Dancers and many internationally acclaimed athletes competing for titles in stones, hammer throw, weights for distance, weight over bar, sheaf and the famed caber toss.
Whisky tasting sessions with aged malt experts and craft beer samplings are available for adult festival goers inside the spruce goose dome. While the wee laddies and lassies can bear witness to Queen Mary’s knighting and coronation ceremonies, and even take part in the Wee Highland games including youth competitions in archery, potato sack races and tug o’ war.
Tickets to ScotsFestival are on sale December 15, 2016 and start at $10 online for ages 4-11 and $19 online for guests 12 and over. VIP tickets, upgrades, ticket add-ons, two-day festival passes and hotel packages will also be available. Visit http://queenmary.com/events/scotsfestival/ for more details and to purchase tickets online.
In the spirit of full disclosure, This is a sponsored post. This is an informative post and not a review of the product/service/event listed above. This post may contain affiliate linking.
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