Whiskey Tasting, Live Entertainment and More
The Queen Mary is pleased to welcome back the 27th annual ScotsFestival & International Highland Games on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16, 2020 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. This year’s Highland Games welcome the North American Lightweight Women’s Championship and Stones of Strength Series to the Queen Mary. Amongst the sea of tartan, ScotsFestival welcomes nearly fifty Scottish clans and vendors in honor of the Queen Mary’s Scottish heritage, with professional and amateur competitions in piping, drumming, massed bands, darts, Highland dancing, Border Collie Sheep Herding, falconry demonstrations, axe throwing, archery competitions and more throughout the festival weekend.
ACTIVITIES:
- Greyfriar’s Pop-Up Pub
- Back again for its third year, don’t miss the Greyfriar’s Pop Up Pub, open Friday, February 14 through Sunday, February 16. Guests can come aboard the Queen Mary and transport to the backstreets of Edinburgh to grab a pint and experience the cozy atmosphere, games, and live music. Open Friday (5:00 p.m. – 11 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.) & Sunday (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) this area does not require an event ticket, except for Saturday evening after 6:15pm, when the pub has a ticketed Ceilidh event.
- North American Lightweight Women’s Championship
- The top lightweight women in the United States will be competing in all nine Scottish heavy events such as caber toss, throwing the weight, the hammer throw, putting the shot, and the sheaf toss. The Championship class athletic roster includes several World Record Holders, and the competition series will crown the 2019 Champion on Sunday, February 16th.
- Stones of Strength Series
- New to the Highland Games for both men and women in 2020 is the Stones of Strength series, during which athletes are required to lift a number of natural stone boulders onto platforms of varying heights. The competitor who manages to lift all the stones in the fastest time wins – if they fail to lift all the stones, the number of stones and the time taken to load them is recorded.
- All-American Professional Highland Games
- Back for its second year, the All-American Professional Highland Games features the highest level of professional Scottish athletes competing in several categories of traditional Highland events, with final scores entered into the North American Scottish Games Athletics database. Those scores generate the invitations to Professional Highland games, which are invitation only and based on success in competition.
- Highland Athletics Competitor Schedule (subject to change):
- 9:00 a.m. Hammer Throw
- 10:00 a.m. Putting the Stone
- 11:00 a.m. Weights for Distance
- 12:30 p.m. Stones of Strength (NEW)
- 1:00 p.m. Weights for Distance
- 2:00 p.m. Height Events
- 3:00 p.m.Heavy Events
- 4:00 p.m. Caber Toss
- Highland Athletics Competitor Schedule (subject to change):
- Back for its second year, the All-American Professional Highland Games features the highest level of professional Scottish athletes competing in several categories of traditional Highland events, with final scores entered into the North American Scottish Games Athletics database. Those scores generate the invitations to Professional Highland games, which are invitation only and based on success in competition.
- Wee Athletics
- The wee lads and lassies can show off their skills and strengths by participating in fun Scottish games and athletics specially designed for kids, including archery, potato sack races and tug o’ war. Schedule subject to change.
- 9:30 a.m. Archery & Potato Sack Races
- 10:30 a.m. Caber Toss & Tug O’ War
- 11:30 a.m. Putting the Stone & Potato Sack Races
- 12:30 p.m. Lawn Bowling & Tug O’ War
- 1:30 p.m. Archery & Potato Sack Races
- 2:30 p.m. Caber Toss & Tug O’ War
- 3:30 p.m. Putting the Stone & Potato Sack Races
- 4:30 p.m. Lawn Bowling & Tug O’ War
- 5:30 p.m. Archery & Potato Sack Races
- The wee lads and lassies can show off their skills and strengths by participating in fun Scottish games and athletics specially designed for kids, including archery, potato sack races and tug o’ war. Schedule subject to change.
- Highland Dance Competitions
- Watch as the most talented Celtic dancers compete and showcase the skill, athleticism, and precision of traditional Highland Dancing with dances like the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, and Scottish Lilt.
- Saturday, February 15
- 8:00 a.m. Premier Championship
- 4:00 p.m. Awards
- Sunday, February 16
- 9:00 a.m. Pre-Premier Competition
- 11:30 a.m. Awards
- 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Competition
- Saturday, February 15
- Watch as the most talented Celtic dancers compete and showcase the skill, athleticism, and precision of traditional Highland Dancing with dances like the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, and Scottish Lilt.
- Piping, Drumming, & Marching Competitions
- A truly distinct part of Scottish culture comes from the piping bands, drummers, and marchers. 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 like, “Scotland the Brave” and “Amazing Grace.”
- Drum Major Competition 1:00 p.m.
- Pipe Band Competition 2:00 p.m.
- A truly distinct part of Scottish culture comes from the piping bands, drummers, and marchers. 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 like, “Scotland the Brave” and “Amazing Grace.”
- Whisky Tastings
- Overlook the event and sip on several whiskeys as a professional walks through the history & taste of each whiskey during a tasting seminar in the Tasting Tavern. The sessions will take place every half hour starting at 10:30 a.m. Save $5 by purchasing tasting tickets in advance during online checkout.
- Border Collie Shepherding
- Watch as beautiful and well-trained Border Collies show off the artistry of Sheepherding. Offered (3) times a day, guests will walk through the history and process of traditional sheepherding. Show times include 11:00 a.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
- Birds of Prey Falconry Demonstrations
- With more birds than ever, falconry returns for its third-year wowing guests with live demonstrations (3) times a day showcasing the history and beauty of falconry. Learn the Scottish history of various birds of prey including hawks, owls, and falcons during the breathtaking 20-minute performances. Show times include 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Axe Throwing & Archery
- Free to participate this year, guests can try their hand at the Scottish skills of axe throwing and archery.
- Grand Parade
- The Grand Parade takes place each day at 12 p.m. sharp and is complete with a new route, more viewing points than ever before, and an amazing lineup. The parade on Saturday, Feb. 15 will welcome Guest Grand Marshal Mark Frances.
- Kirkin
- Join us on Sunday morning February 16 at 9:15 a.m. aboard the ship for our traditional Scottish non-denominational mass, with lovely piano music and hymns.
WHEN:
- Greyfriars Pop-Up Pub: Friday, Feb. 14 5-10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 16 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- ScotsFestival & International Highland Games: Saturday, Feb. 15 – Sunday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
WHERE:
The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA., 90802
TICKETS:
Tickets are available now at queenmary.com
- Single Day Passes
- General admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door for adults and $15 in advance, $20 at the door for children (4-11).
- VIP admission is $45 in advance, $50 at the door for adults and $35 in advance, $40 at the door for children (4-11). VIP passes include VIP Entry and admission to the 27th Annual ScotsFestival and International Highland Games, Admission aboard the Queen Mary on the same day, Access to VIP-only shaded bar, Nessie’s Nest, with views of the Highland Games athletics field, ScotsFestival T-shirt and Admission to the Ceilidh event (Saturday evening only; 6:15 pm in Greyfriar’s Pub).
- Weekend Passes
- General admission is $40 in advance, $45 at the door for adults and $25 in advance, $30 at the door for children (ages 4-11).
- VIP admission is $80 in advance, $85 at the door for adults and $60 in advance, $65 at the door for children (ages 4-11). VIP passes include VIP Entry and admission to the 27th Annual ScotsFestival and International Highland Games on both Saturday and Sunday, Admission aboard the Queen Mary on both days, access to VIP-only shaded bar, Nessie’s Nest, with views of the Highland Games athletics field, ScotsFestival T-shirt and Admission to the Ceilidh event (Saturday evening only; 6:15 pm in Greyfriar’s Pub).
- Celtic Cabanas
- Raised above the crowd, the Celtic Cabanas offer premium views of the athletic field and Highland Games competitions, as well as the Grand Parade. Cabanas fit groups of up to 10 people and also include server and security for belongings. Cabanas are $225 per day.
PARKING:
Self-parking on site at the Queen Mary is $20 per vehicle, and valet parking is $30. Guests can choose to park offsite at the Pike Outlets, and take Long Beach Transit’s free Passport shuttle to and from the Queen Mary.
Credit: The Queen Mary.
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