Pleasanton CA Scottlish Highland Games
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:13 am
Hi All. Just got back yesterday from our trip down south to Pleasanton CA for the Scottish Highland Games presented by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco
It was their 146th annual Scottish Highland Games. One of the oldest in the US. As well as the largest on the West Coast and possibly the largest in the US with an estimated attendance of 50,000. It was a two day event held on Saturday September 3rd and Sunday September 4th. There were I believe 93 clans present. We participated in the Parade of Clans on both Saturday and Sunday.
This event hosts all types of fun activities. Includes the usual Highland Games such as the heavy events, piping and drumming, and dancing competitions. Also included Shinty, Rugby and Soccer. A whiskey tasting event and a children's area. and lots of of musical entertainment including Brother (they were at the Seattle Enumclaw games too) and of course lots of shopping
Unlike the Seattle games where the clans were split into two areas, one at each end; at the Pleasanton games all the clans are in one central area. In CA also, unlike WA, you could walk around with cups/glasses of beer/alcohol. Here in wA we have a beer garden and pubs only. (also charged for the programs-fund raiser)
Very hot weather, at least for me. in the mid 90's if not low 100s.
We had 4 possible relations come and sign in at the tent, two each day. They were provided with info on the DNA testing and the Clan Society. One of them the 1st day was so glad to finally see Livingston(e) was there. Second day, similar comment from someone who said it made his day finding us.
The clan parade was very well organized. Someone came around prior to the parade to let us know where and when to line up. Then came around to make sure we were in alphabetical order, plus we had at least 3 people guiding us thru the whole process of the parade. Only slight problem was if you didnt have a big enough flag/banner in the parade, the clan announcer could see your banner/flag and didnt announce your clan (he was up on a platform and we were on the ground level).
Hope to have a few photos up soon http://www.caledonian.org/games.html
Suzanne
ps if I could find another games in CA either the weekend before or the weekend after these games (including central or slightly southern CA) it would be nice, then I could take the week off and go to Disney between the games events
It was their 146th annual Scottish Highland Games. One of the oldest in the US. As well as the largest on the West Coast and possibly the largest in the US with an estimated attendance of 50,000. It was a two day event held on Saturday September 3rd and Sunday September 4th. There were I believe 93 clans present. We participated in the Parade of Clans on both Saturday and Sunday.
This event hosts all types of fun activities. Includes the usual Highland Games such as the heavy events, piping and drumming, and dancing competitions. Also included Shinty, Rugby and Soccer. A whiskey tasting event and a children's area. and lots of of musical entertainment including Brother (they were at the Seattle Enumclaw games too) and of course lots of shopping
Unlike the Seattle games where the clans were split into two areas, one at each end; at the Pleasanton games all the clans are in one central area. In CA also, unlike WA, you could walk around with cups/glasses of beer/alcohol. Here in wA we have a beer garden and pubs only. (also charged for the programs-fund raiser)
Very hot weather, at least for me. in the mid 90's if not low 100s.
We had 4 possible relations come and sign in at the tent, two each day. They were provided with info on the DNA testing and the Clan Society. One of them the 1st day was so glad to finally see Livingston(e) was there. Second day, similar comment from someone who said it made his day finding us.
The clan parade was very well organized. Someone came around prior to the parade to let us know where and when to line up. Then came around to make sure we were in alphabetical order, plus we had at least 3 people guiding us thru the whole process of the parade. Only slight problem was if you didnt have a big enough flag/banner in the parade, the clan announcer could see your banner/flag and didnt announce your clan (he was up on a platform and we were on the ground level).
Hope to have a few photos up soon http://www.caledonian.org/games.html
Suzanne
ps if I could find another games in CA either the weekend before or the weekend after these games (including central or slightly southern CA) it would be nice, then I could take the week off and go to Disney between the games events