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Games on the
Pacific a Roaring Success
The 2005 Seaside Highland Games held
October 7, 8 & 9 were once again very popular within the Scottish
Community and have now made greater inroads into the Central California
counties around Ventura. From the Single Malt Scotch Tasting early Friday
evening, through the very popular “A Scottish Evening” event which
followed (a fine buffet supper plus live entertainment by Alex Beaton
and the Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh and a fabulous
Scottish Fashion Show) and to the Field Events Saturday and Sunday, every
venue showed remarkable increased attendance. One hundred fifty tasters
sampled, nibbled and mingled in a typical Ray Pearson Classic Malt
Series tasting. The Grand Ballroom at Ventura’s Four Points Sheraton
Hotel strained to contain the record three hundred thirty tartan-clad
diners. Fashions from ancient to futuristic were arranged by Style
Coordinators Lynda Graham Gould and Jamie Sorenson and could
be purchased from Vendors on the Field.
Seaside Park, the Ventura County Fairgrounds, was buzzing long before
the gates were thrown open to the public at 9 AM Saturday and Sunday. So
many Scottish Highland Dancers, Heavy Athletes, pipers and drummers needed
those quiet moments to prepare for the day’s competitions. Once the almost
FIFTEEN THOUSAND guests arrived, all venues were in full swing. Special
guests included Genealogy Specialist Beth Gay from Moultrie,
Georgia and Margaret MacKinnon of the Isle of Skye who conducted
classes in her native Gaelic tongue.
A number
of bagpipe bands including the wonderful Los Angeles Scots—one of
only three Grade I bands in the US—provided regular weekend entertainment
and a gala Opening Ceremonies on Saturday before dais guests Ventura
County Supervisor Chair Kathy Long, County Sheriff Bob Brooks, District
Attorney Greg Totten, Captain Paul Grosgold, Commanding Officer of Naval
Base Ventura County and City Councilman Neal Andrews representing
Mayor Brian Brennan and the City Council. A number of proclamations
were presented to Seaside Games Chief John Lowry including one from
California Assemblyman Julian Nava who could not attend.
The
Opening Ceremonies Parade also included representatives from the sixty
Scottish Clans in attendance, Games Color Guard 42nd Black
Watch Highland Society, Bydand Forever, the Gordon Highlanders reenactors
and the Highlander Warriors Kingdom of the Gael. The
Drummond Ranch Sheep Herding Dogs performed regularly in Morgan Arena.
More
Children’s Glen activities kept toddlers to caber-tossers busy and
more Scottish Country Dancers performed and more unique Celtic
vendors helped round out a busy weekend’s activities. Scottish food and
drink were always available to complete the authentic experience. It was
hard to miss our Surfer Dude logo and hope you will look for him again
next October when the Games will be held on October 13, 14 & 15, 2006 !
For
further information, visit
www.seaside-games.com |
