This month the historical Queen Mary is offering the Los Angeles area a piece of Scottish heritage with their 19th Annual Scottish Festival and Games. The Queen Mary is located in Long Beach, California and is the most famous ship built on the River Clyde. The month of February allows those seeking to explore the ship to also get a feel for one of Southern California’s largest Scottish celebrations.
On February 18th and 19th individuals can experience Scottish dancing, clothing, games, sheepherding, and even Scotch whisky tasting. There will also be plenty of authentic Scottish foods and ales to enjoy outside of activities that you can partake in such as the Highland Athletic Competition and Dart Tournament.
There will also be a grand parade on both Saturday and Sunday that will include Scottish clans, drums and massed pipes, along with special guest Grand Marshals. Along the deck of the ship, visitors can stop and talk with members of over 40 Scottish clans that will be onboard.
Children will enjoy the festival as well because of the interactive kid’s zone that includes viewing a sheepherding demonstration with Border Collies and other sheepherding breeds. Kids will also have the opportunity to pet and get up-close and personal with the dogs.
Tickets are available as a one-day pass for adults, $18 online or $22 at the event; seniors or military, $16 online or $20 at the event; and children ages 5-11, $12 online or $15 at the event. Two-day passes are also available for purchase. Admission for adults, $24 online or $28 at the event; seniors or military, $22 online or $26 at the event; and children ages 5-11,$16 online or $20 at the event.
You can also turn this wonderful celebration of Scottish heritage into a weekend getaway. The Queen Mary is offering one, two, or three night stays for two individuals. The Clansman Package starts at $202 and includes a one night stay for two, two 1-day admission tickets to the Scottish Festival and a Self-Guided Shipwalk Tour. The Highland Chiefs Package starts at $466 for a two night stay for two that includes Champagne Brunch on Sunday, breakfast in the Promenade Café, as well as admission for two to the Scottish Festival on both Saturday and Sunday, and a Self-Guided Shipwalk Tour. The Laird’s Package starts at $647 and includes a three night stay for two, Self-Guided Shipwalk Tour, breakfast at the Promenade Café on Saturday and Monday, Champagne Brunch on Sunday, and admission for two to the Scottish Festival Saturday and Sunday.
Please visit http://www.queenmary.com/Scottish-Festival.aspxor call (877) 342-0742 for more information, ticket purchasing, and to register for the Scottish competitions and events at the Scottish Festival and Games aboard the Queen Mary.
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