Seaside Highland Games

I had more fun at the 2010 festival, and was expecting to have the same or better this year. Bummed at the level of the athletic competition on Sunday, perhaps the higher level athletes competed on Saturday? The lady selling me a Scottish Meat Pie tried to overcharge me, and the price of the pies were much higher than 2010, I suppose that is inflation.
The $ 5 parking was fine, but I wish they offered some sort of discounts for admission, perhaps for students? I definitely enjoyed the Kirk service, and the bands playing outside. The family band performing inside was also great. I was bummed that the dog show was right next to the athletic competition, last time they had the athletes in the larger arena. I could hardly hear what the dog people were saying!
Also, not anyones fault, but none of my family names were represented in the booths. Also, there was no interesting class to sit in on while I was there on Sunday. I drove 2 hours to get here and was generally disappointed. I think it will be another couple years if I ever travel to this festival again. Oh, and all the non-​celtic stuff for sale was frustrating, random jewelry and candy!
I know that there is a big history with this show, that lots of people come every year, perhaps I just lucked out in 2010!

Lots of stuff to do and see right next to the beach at Ventura Fairgrounds. $ 25 for a 2-​day pass was reasonable. Pipers, dancers, food, Haggis eating competition, lots of stuff to buy & browse. Scotch tasting fri night and Scotch was available all weekend. The band 1916 was AMAZING!!! Spent a lot of time oogling the kilted athletes. Plenty of kilted eye candy for men & women kept the event fun.

My husband and I have been going here every year for YEARS… and it is one of our favourite Scottish Festivals and Highland Games to attend in the area. Being held in October, the weather is always nice, there’s a great breeze off the ocean, and they are very well organized here.
Great entertainment in several locations of the festival grounds, Highland Game competition (as someone said, big men throwing things! *l*), sheep herding demonstrations, competitive highland dancing, scottish country dancing, award-​winning pipe bands and competitions, drum major competitions, two buildings full of vendors of assorted things, a children’s section, and a great variety of food including scot/​english fare. The lines do get long for the isle food, but these guys have the system down pretty well and the lines MOVE… unlike other scot fests we’ve been to.
It’s a great way to spend a day (or two) soaking in some Scottish culture and we always look forward to it!

This is a fun event but unlike the previous reviewer, I found it to be rather expensive. My boyfriend and I went to the event and it was $ 40 for the two of us just to get in. They do have some really great bands and the athletes are great as well. But the best part of festivals are the vendors, beer, and food so I just thought it ended up being a little more expensive than what we had in mind. Great bands and athletes… don’t think they really thought out letting people from the crowd try and throw some of the athletes objects as many times it was rather close to hitting people in the stands but hey… i guess that’s part of the risk?
just avoid the stands when the crowd is allowed to try things out.

What an amazing venue for a great time! Inexpensive for the whole family to spend by the beach, listen to amazing bands, and watch some amazing athletes. Oh and the food and beer! Best highland games I’ve been too by far!