Ben Lomond Scottish Day Saturday, Sept. 19

A Celebration of Music and Dance

By Julie Horner

On Saturday, Sept. 19 the Ben Lomond Village Alliance presents the second annual Ben Lomond Scottish Day at Ben Lomond County Park on Mill Street. Held from 1-5pm, the free community festival celebrates Scottish culture and Ben Lomond’s rich Scottish heritage with live Celtic music, dancing, falconry and sword-fighting demonstrations, a shortbread contest, family activities, food and libation. The event is sponsored by the Celtic Society of Monterey Bay, Ben Lomond’s Roberts Ranch Vineyards, Scarborough Lumber, and Scotts Valley based Steel Bonnet Brewing Company. The inaugural event in 2025 welcomed more than 500 attendees. BLVA President Sarah Jansen-Mount said, “Last year was a big success! Everyone came out in kilts!”

Jay Salter & the Great Highland Bagpipers

Santa Cruz master bagpiper Jay Salter pipes in the event joined by Santa Cruz Pipes and Drums, a marching band Jay created in 1992, which was also present at the inaugural Loch Lomond Highland Games at Highlands Park in Ben Lomond in 1993. Jay’s band Celtic Circle performs from 1-2pm. 

Jay says Celtic Circle grew out of a collective of Scottish musicians who meet to enjoy tunes together twice a month (1st and 3rd Mondays) at Steel Bonnet Brewery in Scotts Valley. Jay explained, “Players enjoy camaraderie and collective support in playing tunes that have been in existence for hundreds of years. There’s a reason the tunes are in many cases so old: they are fiery and soulful products of a culture deeply connected to its history and art, transporting us all to a joyful and enlivened realm, whether one has Celtic roots or not. In these days of throw-away culture and social media, it is a powerful grounding tonic to gather in a circle and play ancient tunes that people have spent a lifetime learning and sharing, passing them down to the fingers and ears of the present.” Jay Salter’s Celtic Circle is Sunset Richter, Brad Richter, George Holbert, Paul Llewellyn, Jeff Gordon, Bob Morpeth, Olivia Seimer, Laura Boothby, Jackie Pierce, and Nancy Fredrick.  bayareabagpiper.com

Shelley Phillips & Community Music School of Santa Cruz

Renowned Celtic musician, recording artist, and educator Shelley Phillips is joined onstage by three incredible young musicians from Santa Cruz and the San Lorenzo Valley: Fox Pettinotti, Conall Barber, and Amiel Goodman. They’re calling themselves the Community Music School All-Stars, and they’ll be playing some great Scottish tunes on harp, fiddle, tin whistle, mandolin, tenor banjo, and guitar. All are active in the annual Community Music School music camps. The school and nonprofit was founded in 1992 in response to defunded public school music programs. communitymusicschool.org

Ceilidh Dancing: A Celtic Tradition

Anyone can join the dance! The ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) band is Haggis & Avocado. Caller Juliet Davoren directs the dances set to a soundtrack of lively traditional jigs and reels performed by Mark Davoren (fiddle), Karen Muir (fiddle), and Bill Muir (guitar). Fiddler Mark Davoren said, “In Scotland, ceilidh dancing is widespread and popular. Many towns have a monthly, if not weekly, ceilidh dance. Often birthdays and wedding receptions mix in some of the well known ceilidh dances among modern pop music. In the Bay Area, ceilidh dancing and the related Scottish country dancing are popular, with monthly dances and weekly classes around the Bay including in Santa Cruz and San Jose.” In Santa Cruz you can participate in Scottish Country Dancing with live music on Thursday evenings at Peace United Church, 900 High Street. rscds-sf.org or email info@rscdssf.net.

The Athletic & Aesthetic 

Thrill to the strength and athleticism of Scottish Highland dancing as the San Jose School of Highland Dance demonstrates a centuries-old tradition showcasing precise technique in full tartan regalia. Historically the dance form was performed exclusively by men and warriors; today most dancers are women. sanjosehighlanddance.com

The 3 Falconeers, a women-owned animal education organization, allows you to get up close to birds-of-prey with free-flying demonstrations featuring raptors like hawks, falcons, and owls. Delve into the history of falconry used for hunting and prestige in ancient Scotland.  the3falconeers.com

New this year: Swordfighting demonstrations from Steaphen Fick’s Davenriche European

Martial Arts School. Imagine the high-pitched ring of metal on metal Outlander style as expert athletes clash in mock combat with longsword, sidesword, and dagger! swordfightingschool.com

Also new: Live sheepdog working demonstrations throughout the day!

The Aromatic & Appetizing

The BLVA’s biggest fundraiser of the year, bid in the silent auction while sipping craft beer from Steel Bonnet Brewing or boutique pours from Roberts Ranch Vineyards, or savor a cold cider from Santa Cruz Cider Company. Cheeky Villain provides old world sausage rolls, fish and chips, and other savories, and there’s pizza, fresh lemonade, and cold treats from Marianne’s Ice Cream! Participate in shortbread tasting! Browse a colorful array of crafter and informational tents doting the edges of the park along the banks of the San Lorenzo River. Kids enjoy activities and Celtic inspired crafts. Bring a lawn chair and pull up some shade beneath the sycamores and take home a commemorative glass or T-shirt. 

The Ben Lomond Village Alliance crew welcomes the public to Scottish Day on Saturday, Sept. 19

“It’s nice to be present in the park,” Sarah said. “The event just fits nicely into the space. And it’s great to see the community come together, the whole Valley!” Find some plaid, wear a hat, bring a lawn chair, it’s going to be nonstop fun throughout the day!

Schedule of Activities

1:00–2:00 PM
Bagpipes and Live Music with Jay Salter & Celtic Circle

2:00–2:30 PM
Falconry Demonstration with The 3 Falconeers Falconry

2:30–3:00 PM
Dance Performance by the San Jose School of Highland Dance

3:00–3:30 PM
Swordfighting Demonstration

3:30–4:30 PM
Community Ceilidh Dancing with Haggis & Avocado

4:30–5:00 PM
Live Music with Community Music School All-Stars

5:00 PM
Shortbread Contest Awards

Ben Lomond Scottish Day, Saturday, September 19 | 1-5pm.
Ben Lomond County Park, 9525 Mill St, Ben Lomond.
BenLomondVillage.org