Scottish Fest May 23-24 2015 Costa Mesa Ca

**OC Richard** · 24th May 15, 04:48 AM

Well I had a great time yesterday. As usual the Games are a time to meet up with people I only see at Games, catch up on everything. Yes we're all connected on FaceBook and various sites but it's just not the same as having a beer and a chat!

I did stop by the Donnachaidh booth early in the day, but Sydnie had not yet arrived, I was told. Then things got crazy for us Pipe Band people, what with both Opening and Closing ceremonies, and competition in between, we're basically doing our band thing from 11am till 6pm.

Yes the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band is amazing. I noted, last year, that the female Marines were wearing the same "cover" (hat) as the men, and talked with a couple of them about it. I was told it was up to the particular Commanding Officer, that some did that for a more uniform appearance. This is the same band that used rope-tension 18th century drums for a time.

I'm very proud of a former piper in our band, who upon finishing High School joined the Marines as a musician. He's stationed on the East coast and is having a great time playing music as a Marine!

Sorry I won't be around this morning for the Memorial Service, because I'm doing a church gig. Afterwards I'll zip over to the Fairgrounds and have to park in BFE.

Our band had a good run, won Grade Four.

**sydnie7** · 25th May 15, 01:41 PM

Sorry we missed you! We did run into Elizabeth and hubby (who sounds closer than ever to getting kilted) and I have one snap of us with Alan, who was busy schooling the SoCal heavies with his new cabers LOL. I'll have to add it later, as the photo upload process doesn't want to play with my iPad right now.

ETA: Here we are!

**Elizabeth** · 25th May 15, 03:09 PM

Hubby and I had a wonderful time. We went by our lonesomes this year and had a very laid back time. It was nice to see Sidney and Bob. Thanks for working on hubby about the kilt! We got to say "Hi" to Alan briefly as he was helping with games. I finally found OC Richard not playing and introduced myself. Congratulations to his band for winning their grade!

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band was amazing to see and when they were joined by members of the LA Scotts for the closing ceramonies I got goosebumps! And the massed band marching over the rough race track... well I held my breath hoping no one would go down and no one did. That must have been a huge challenge!

**OC Richard** · 25th May 15, 08:02 PM

Nice to meet you!

Don't know if the link will work, but here's our band competing at Costa Mesa on Saturday

https://www.facebook.com/danny.burns...7/?pnref=story

**MacCathail** · 25th May 15, 08:49 PM

Richard,

Congratulations to you folks in LBFD-PB. (They were in the prizes both days and aggregate winners in G-IV for the weekend.) Sounding great. And I enjoyed - as always- the chat while watching the rest of the comps.

-John-

**OC Richard** · 27th May 15, 08:20 PM

Thanks! Yes great chatting with you! A kindred spirit, as they say.

**grizzbass** · 27th May 15, 09:35 PM

sounded superb. next time you'll have to swing over to the games and look for the strange gun with the rifle mount for his camera,

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Nice to meet you!

Don't know if the link will work, but here's our band competing at Costa Mesa on Saturday

https://www.facebook.com/danny.burns...7/?pnref=story

**Stitchwiz** · 27th May 15, 11:11 PM

Lovely, Richard. It is wonderful to hear such a 'clean' sound with the pipes. This is a testament to how well everyone plays together. It takes LOTS of practice to get that good. Encore!