Scottish games, stories this weekend in Vista
The 47th San Diego Scottish Highland Games is back this year in person Saturday and Sunday, and will be ushered in with the age-old legends of Scotland told by local storytellers Friday evening at Brengle Terrace Park in Vista.
San Diego’s favorite storytellers will come on stage to recount tales of misty moors, ancient feuds, valiant clans and highland spirits in their annual presentation of “Tales and Legends of Scotland.”
Featured performers from the Storytellers of San Diego include James Nelson-Lucas, Aunt Li-Anne, Mindy Donner and Marilyn McPhie, who will entertain with traditional tales. New to this stage is Lissette Ryan, who blends her tales with tunes on her harp. Rachel Amov, the Gypsy Fiddler, will be weaving her music with stories.
The next two days will bring all things Scottish to the Vista venue. There will be bagpiping and drumming, highland dancing, sheepdog trials and whisky tasting, along with a food court, live music, athletic competitions, and clans and Scottish groups. There will also be more Scottish storytelling at 11 a.m. and 2:50 p.m. Saturday by McPhie in the Children’s Area and on Sunday by Aunt Li-Anne.
Highland dance competitions include the Highland Fling, Scottish Reel, Ghillie Callum solo sword dance, and Sailor’s Hornpipe, along with the Scottish Lilt and Flora MacDonald’s Fancy, one of the Scottish National dances.
The athletic contests include the Braemar Stone Toss, Open Stone, Caber Toss and Hammer Toss.
The storytelling show will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday on the Beer Garden stage at Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. Tickets cost $20; free for children younger than 12. Attendees can bring their own food; it will not be sold at the event. For more information, call (858) 337-0990 or visit storytellersofsandiego.org.
The Scottish Highland Games are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Brengle Terrace Park. Tickets cost $5-$15. Parking fee at the park is $5. There is additional off-site parking at Vista High School, which costs $5 and includes a shuttle to the games. For more information, visit sdhighlandgames.org.