The award-winning Scottish Society of the Monterey Peninsula and the Salinas Jaycees will hold the 43rd Annual Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival on Saturday and Sunday, August 7th and 8th, 2010 at beautiful Monterey County Toro Park, 501 Highway 68, located between Monterey and Salinas, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

This very popular Celtic celebration brings the music, dance and athletic events of the mystical lands of Scotland and Ireland to Monterey County. Why fly to Scotland and Ireland when you can enjoy the cultural bounty of the region right here!  Featuring fun activities for the whole family, the 43rd Annual Scottish Games & Celtic Festival will offer a variety of live Celtic entertainment with the thrilling massed pipe bands on parade, including California pipe bands and Highland and Irish dancers.  The very special entertainment at the 43rd Annual Scottish Games & Celtic Festival will include the popular Celtic band, Tempest, the legendary Irish singer, Seamus Kennedy, the Celtic rock/punk band, 1916, and popular local harpist, Amy Krupski. 

The Scottish Games & Festival will feature exciting Scottish heavy athletic competition events, including the famous Caber Toss. New this year will be shinty (a Scottish game resembling hockey) demonstrations at noon showing how this popular Great entertainment will be provided by professional Celtic Pipe Bands. Exciting colorful activities will include the massed pipe bands, Drum Major and Pipe Band competitions, Highland Dancing, Irish Step Dancing, Sheepdog Herding, Historical Re-enactment Groups, and Clan and Celtic Association Tents. Attendees can stroll through the Avenue of Clans, visit one of the Clan tents and trace their ancestry.  There will be lots of fun special events planned for the wee ones at the Children's Games, too. Over 50 vendors offering tasty British and Scottish food and drink, and unique Scottish and Irish crafts, jewelry, clothing, and music will be enjoyed by all. The Monterey Bay Scottish Terrier Social Club and other Celtic breeds will be on hand, as well. This year, on Sunday, the Festival will feature a special “Salute to the Irish” that will include Irish entertainment and Irish Dancing.

The proceeds from the 43rd Annual Scottish Games & Celtic Festival will benefit several local non-profit organizations.

For more details, check out the website: http://www.montereyscotgames.com or call 831-333-9423.