http://seaside-games.com

The Seaside Highland Games, already choc-a-block with wonderful things to see and do, is adding new and exciting things to the Highland experience of all who attend! Bagpipe Bands already committed will arrive from all over California and many of the Western States. Premier Highland Dancers by the scores will amaze you from their Amtrak California Stage near the front gate. And the Scottish athletes--the Highland Heavies--will return to the friendly environs of Morgan Arena just at the end of Clan Row. But they will return--not with just their normal feats of strength and agility but with the new LIGHT WEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP INVITATIONAL held exclusively at Seaside! And if you really believe the "Light Weight" throwers are light-weights, think again! This will be an awesome show featuring the best athletes from around the world.

For those of you who love Sara Goodman's All Breed Herding Dogs demonstrations ( and who doesn't), have no fear as she will be right beside the athletes in her very own "Oceanside Herding Arena!" That end of Clan Row will be one very popular destination. What else is happening there you ask? Well, in addition to our beloved Bydand Forever, the Gordon Highlanders recreators (whose live black powder show occurring in Morgan Arena each day), we are welcoming back Richard Brown's Highlander Warriors whose encampment beside Bydand's will impress you and whose action packed sword demonstrations on the green will send you back to those earlier, wilder days.

On a more "civilized" note, the music wafting in from across the way on the Celtic Rock Stage will be favorites Eric Rigler and his band Bad Haggis. That is not a commentary on either haggis, the Scottish delicacy, or Eric's music which is amazingly GOOD...just a name! Eric brings with him this year a new band (new to us at least) called Anita and the Yanks. You will be pleased to hear the soothing melodies sung by Anita Mansfield and the hard-driving rhythms set up by her band.

Moving back through the more than 80 Clan Society encampments we come to Center Stage where so much action is focused. First is the unfortunate news of our working without Star Performer Alex Beaton this year. Many of you know that Alex was seriously injured in a home accident at the end of July and remains hospitalized but making steady progress as we speak. So serious, however, that the Seaside Games has set up a "Matching Funds" benefit to assist Alex and Linda when this is all over and that is highlighted on our website.

That Center Stage will still be a happening place with the return of perennial favorites, the Browne Sisters and George Cavanaugh and adding the fantastic musicianship of the Southern California band Sligo Rags. You will not want to miss a beat of their exciting sets. While you are in the area, look for Alex's tent and the wonderful volunteers selling his products led by the dear Helen and Bill Eisenhower.

We cannot leave this area without a mention of Saturday's noontime Grand Parade and Opening Ceremonies. You will see every Clan and moveable organization represented here and to be greeted by our Very Special Guest, The Marquess of Huntly, Chief of the House of Gordon, the "Cock o' the North" himself, Granville Huntly of Aboyne, Scotland who will declare the Games "Officially Open!"

The amazing Wood family performers, "Celtic Spring" will hold forth to their usual record-breaking crowds on their stage in Vendor Building One, just steps away from the very active Children's Glen where we have just added the popular Story Teller Neal McLeod who delights and entertains all ages.

Scottish Country Dancers not just occupy but make come alive their own building, McBride Hall. Our newly "resurrected" Scottish Fiddle Competition (after having been shelved in the State of California for over twelve years) will return as an expanded and popular event for both Saturday and Sunday this year. Premier keyboardist Shauna Pickett-Gordon and National Champion Fiddler Colyn Fischer, who are professionally known as Peat-Fire Flame, will oversee that Competition once again. They will also be in concert together with our Scottish Country Dancers at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel on Saturday night.

Other than that and a little Gordon "Dinner with the Chief" at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for a hundred and fifty, a wedding for two hundred plus extended hours for the Celtic Rock Stage--ALL on Saturday night--things are rocking along as usual! Why not come and take in some of the fun yourself? Call John & Nellie at 818-886-4968 or see seaside-games.com for more information. Come to Seaside and see!!