The Annual Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival brings the bright colors of hundreds of tartan plaids and the sounds of many talented bagpipe bands to Monterey! Plan to put on your kilt and sporran, bring your family and friends, and visit the mystical lands of Scotland and Ireland ? without even leaving the Monterey Peninsula. Hundreds of kilted athletes, bagpipers and dancers will be back in Monterey entertaining Festival-goers who will enjoy experiencing the fascinating Celtic culture. This very popular Celtic celebration brings the music, dance, food and athletic events of Scotland and Ireland to Monterey County. Featuring fun activities for the whole family, the Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival offers a variety of live Celtic entertainment with exciting massed pipe bands on parade, including many award-winning California-based pipe bands, plus talented Highland and Irish dancers. The outstanding array of special entertainment this year will feature many crowd-pleasing favorites for all ages including internationally known entertainers. On Sunday, the Festival will also feature 'Salute to the Irish? that will include special Irish entertainment. The Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival also features exciting Scottish heavy athletic competition events seen in award-winning films such as Braveheart, Rob Roy and Brave, including the famous caber toss, hammer and stone throw, weight for distance and height, and the sheaf toss. Among the many thrilling sights and sounds are crowd-pleasing activities such as the powerful massed pipe bands, thrilling Drum Major competition, Solo and Pipe Band competitions, Highland Dancing, Irish Step dancing, and sheepdog herding. Step back in time with costumed historical re-enactment Groups depicting life in 16th Century Scotland with Clan Galbraith, St. Andrew's Society including meet and greets and tea with Mary Queen of Scots, and the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). Festival attendees will also enjoy researching their own clans at the clan and Celtic association tents as they stroll through the Avenue of Clans. There are lots of fun interactive children's games activities planned for the wee ones at the Children's Glen, too. Little ones can participate in scaled down athletic events (mini-Caber toss, pillow over the bar, mini braemar stone putt), plus enjoy fun Celtic craft projects and the popular Celtic Quest. Many vendors at the Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival will offer tasty and British and Scottish food and drink, and unique Scottish, British and Irish crafts, jewelry, clothing, and music that will be enjoyed by all. There's always great shopping with authentic products imported from Scotland, Ireland and England and hand-made items with Celtic themes. Don?t miss the popular whisky tasting seminar that celebrates one of Scotland's greatest exports?fine, single malt Scotch whisky and learn more about the history, distillation process and various tasting characteristics of fine whiskies. Guinness beer and other beverages are abundant as well.