Queen Mary Scottish Festival

**IEScotsman** · 24th January 07, 11:23 PM

February 16-18, 2007
Queen Mary - Long Beach, California

Who is going this year? My wife and I went for the first time last year and only got to see about 20 minutes of it. We're really looking forward to a better experience this time around.
Any tips for newbies?
Thanks!

**McClef** · 25th January 07, 02:04 AM

I hadn't heard of it before but it does sound an interesting event and it's a reminder of where the Queen Mary was built.

More info here: http://www.queenmary.com/index.php?p...ottishfestival

Alas can't make it, this year anyway.

**IEScotsman** · 25th January 07, 10:04 AM

Thanks for posting the link. I meant to do that in my first post. It looked to be a very fun event with good vendors and entertainment.

**Yaish** · 25th January 07, 10:12 AM

The QMHG is a GREAT time, I've gone for the last several years. Do bear in mind however, that this particular year they will not have the athletic events. Unfortunately the field where we compete had to be re-sodded, and it wont be ready in time for the games.

There is a throwers event being held that Saturday elsewhere, but it is far from the Queen Mary and not associated with it in any way. I may attend the throwing event on Sat and do the QM on Sunday.

**Jimmy the Celt** · 25th January 07, 10:19 AM

IEScotsman,

I live about 25 minutes from you!

**KiltedKnight** · 26th January 07, 08:18 PM

My wife and I will be attending, I don't know yet what day so it's open, who is going and when? I just live at the opposite end of the Long Beach freeway.

Chris.

**Sorcha Griannon** · 29th January 07, 12:45 AM

I've planned on going for the last several years and every time somethings come up. I, again, plan on going. Wish me luck!

Sorcha

**IEScotsman** · 12th February 07, 04:27 PM

The Festival is this weekend? Who all is going?
My wife and I are probably going to be there Friday and Saturday, possibly all three days.

**IEScotsman** · 18th February 07, 10:01 AM

Okay, here we go!

The first stop of the day was the Highland Dancing display. Neither of us had ever seen it before and could not believe how young these girls were! If we thought they were 14, they were 11. If we thought they were 16, they were 13. We must be getting old. But we were impressed to see how athletic they all were. Truly a fine presentation.

After a few dances (they were all IDENTICAL), we headed outside and heard so many cats being killed, I thought we stepped into an animal shelter! We took a look around and noticed all the different bands warming up. Very fun to see! Here are some of the bands preparing. I'm sorry for not being able to label each one. Most were not standing by their tents.

**IEScotsman** · 18th February 07, 10:02 AM

At noon, the parade began. The description in the program wasn't very descriptive so we weren't sure what it would be. Turned out to be very cool. They had four bands (honorably labeled bands "A, B, C, and D") to do the opening with flags and color guard.

This lady here was far more than a pipe or drum major. She was a drill sergeant! I saw guys more than six and a half feet tall weighing 300+ pounds...and this lady commanded more authority than they did!

The Old Bushmills Distillery Pipe and Drum Band

Another picture of the Bushmills' folk

All of the bands for the color guard were small bands grouped together. This particular group included the University of CA, Riverside pipe band. They should out because both my wife and I went to UCR and they have their own official tartan (blue and gold on the far right) and their team name is the Highlanders!

Next came the Gordon Regiment re-enacters.