Considered by many as the largest Scottish celebration in the world, the Scottish Highland Gathering & Games, set for the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, will celebrate 146 years of continuous Celtic presentations. Presented by the members and volunteers of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco, the annual celebration utilizes most every portion of Norther and Central California's largest county fairgrounds. This year's 146th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games is set for September 3 and 4 over the Labor Day weekend. Among the major events will be more than 30 pipe bands from the U.S. and Canada, including three world-class Grade I bands. The L.A. Scots from Southern California will be joined by two famous Canadian bands, the Alberta Caledonian band from Edmonton and the Triumph Street band from Vancouver, BC. Returning this year will be the popular U.S. Marine Band San Diego. The Pleasanton Games is the only venue in the world where a U.S. military band and a Grade I pipe band march and perform together as a single unit. The L.A. Scots and the Marine band will perform together. Fans of athletic skills will appreciate the Heavy Events, which this year include the world's top professional athletes competing in Team Championships with six two-man teams, representing the U.S., Canada, Scotland, England, Poland and Holland and sanctioned by the International Highland Games Federation. Additionally, the men's and women's amateur athletes represent more than 20 U.S. states. Heavy Event competitors in all classes are required to compete in all eight athletic disciplines, including the fabled caber, weight-for-height, hammer, stone putt and weight-for-distance. No Scottish celebration would be complete without the Highland Dancing competition with the Western U.S. Open Championships on tap. Back for its second year will be the Irish Pavilion, featuring Irish Step Dancing demonstrations by several local Irish dancing schools. Last year's inaugural Irish Pavilion activities proved very popular. Entertainment abounds with seven stages of continuous activity throughout the fairgrounds featuring everything from traditional balladeers and vocal groups to Celtic Rock, plus the Fiddler's Rally, Harping and Scottish Country Dancing venues. Among the favorites in the Celtic Rock will be internationally recognized Tempest, Australia's Brother and Scotland's tribal Albannach. Molly's Revenge, the Browne Sisters, Golden Bough, Peter Daldry and Neil O'Neill, plus Scotland TV personality, singer Isla St Clair entertain throughout the weekend. Adding to the bountiful venues will be Living History, a re-creation of Mary Queen of Scots and her entourage, the Highland Warriors, the Roman Legion and the invading Vikings. The Birds of Prey includes more than 30 exotic birds and their accredited handlers. The Sheep Dog Trials portray the intricacies of Border Collies herding sheep via the whistle commands from the dogs master. For the "wee ones" is the Children's Glen, with games and prizes. Nearly 100 clans are represented in the Gathering of the Clans area where one can find information on Scottish roots. The Pleasanton Games have always been the site of the Five-a-Side Soccer Tournament with eight semi-pro teams competing. The athletics also include tournaments in Rugby and the ancient Scottish game of Shinty. Returning for the fourth year is the "Taste of Whisky at the Games", providing the opportunity to sample premium single malt Scottish whiskies, or to sign up for the Master Class where the fine points of the libations are provided by an expert. Because of high demand, the Master Class moves to a second building this year. British automobiles are displayed and a team of Clydesdale horses and wagon tour the grounds. For the adventurous shopper, the Games provide more than 100 vendors located in five building. British food, including bangers, meat pies, Scotch eggs and more are supplemented by traditional American fair food and drink. Preceding the weekend's Games on Friday will be the "March Under the Arch on Main Street from 5 to 5:30 p.m. with a pipe band and the U.S. Marines. Friday evening at the host hotel, the Marriott San Ramon, the Friday Night Concert, hosted by Isla St Clair, is held. Saturday night at the Red Lion Pub on the fairgrounds, a Scottish Party "Ceilidh" is held. The entertainment is free and is provided by our local Nashville recording artists "Rodeo House". The BBQ dinner is extra
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