Tartan Day, Ardenwood Park in Fremont CA

[Alan H]

I'm the AD for a small Games in Northern California. It's small, but we have a little bit of everything...dancing, SCD, bands, music, clans, re-enactors, Athletics and shop-till-you-drop.

and :beer:

http://www.eastbayscots.org/

Come on out on Saturday April 2nd. 10 - 5. It's inexpensive...$8 for adults, $5 for kids, and there's a childrens glen for the little ones.

[Dale Seago]

It's one I always enjoy, and I have it on my calendar. Looking forward to seeing you there!

[Highlander31]

I remember when the East Bay Scottish Association was called the Tri-Cities Scottish Association. They've been promoting things Scottish since the early '90's.

Alan, is it safe to presume my old friend Richard Brown and his Highlander Warriors will be there again this year?

[MacMillans son]

Thanks for posting that Allen!

I have never been there, and will do my best to attend. I tend to prefer the small to medium sized events. Woodland is perfect, in my opinion, but find Pleasanton a bit too large and difficult to navigate between the various events and competitions.

Having never been to this event, is there a place for us XMTS folks to do a meet and greet?

Thanks again,
Brooke

[Alan H]

I will be the guy running the Athletics, probably wearing a bandana on me bald head so say Hi.

Richard Browns family is going through a hard time with his fathers declining health. Richard has been back and forth between California and Oklahoma this winter and we just learned last night that he will not be at Tartan Day. The Highlander Warriors, "officially" will not be there, but quite a few of the lads and lasses will be on hand.

The Royal Guild of St. Gyles will be there, though I understand that they have a new name. One of our own X Markers is a knight in that Guild.

X Marks meet up..Hmmm...there's always the Beer Garden!

This event is much smaller than Woodland. If you remember the size of the Livermore Games, it's about 2/3 or 3/4 of that. Total attendance will probably be about 1,000-1,400, with a bit of luck, if the weather cooperates. Woodland draws 10,000+

[Highlander31]

...Richard Browns family is going through a hard time with his fathers declining health. Richard has been back and forth between California and Oklahoma this winter and we just learned last night that he will not be at Tartan Day. The Highlander Warriors, "officially" will not be there, but quite a few of the lads and lasses will be on hand....

Richard mentioned his father's health in a telecon we had back in the beginning of February. I'm sorry to hear he won't be attending Ardenwood this year. Richard and his Warriors do an excellent job of bringing history alive.

I've known him since '93. He and I did more than a few presentations to elementary schools on Scottish history, and the influence Scottish ideas had in the shaping of our country (i.e. the Declaration of Independence is based in part on the Scottish Declaration of Arbroath written in 1320.)

Look forward to hearing how the games turned out.

[cessna152towser]

Best of luck with your games tomorrow Alan.

[Dale Seago]

Looking forward to it!

[theborderer]

As jealousy sets in all I can say is: Have a lot of Fun and a Good day tomorrow. Oh ! Dont forget the pics later

[Dale Seago]

I got down to Ardenwood for a bit in the afternoon. I think the attendance level from visitors coming in was the best in the past several years. Great music; a bit light on food vendors, but that was made up for by the availability of Belhaven Ale (AND Belhaven Stout and IPA!).

Before going there I dropped in to address some security-related matters at my workplace in San Francisco; happened to be during the morning Shabbat services. Our operations director took this pic:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1199617140

Later at Ardenwood, dressed down a bit, with my SO:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1199617140

And yes, there WERE athletics happening:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1199617140