Tag Archives: Scottish Clans

Nov 27, 2012

We’re all wrapped up and stuffed from Thanksgiving and now it’s time to start looking forward to Christmas! This weekend marks an exciting start to the Christmas season with the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. There are several events to enjoy with your family.

The first is the Deck the Halls with Santa!

This fun event for children is held on Friday Nov. 30th from 1-3 p.m. at the Masonic Temple. Kids will get to meet Santa and “Plaid the Dog.” The event features age appropriate crafts for children to help “Deck the Halls,” seasonal treats, and a raffle full of goodies, toys, and experiences for the whole family to enjoy. Note that crafts are ideally for ages 2-5 with little assistance required. The Masonic Temple does not permit strollers.

Tickets are $30 for adults; $15 for children 11 and under. You can purchase your tickets online.

Saturday, Dec. 1st beginning at 11 a.m. is the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

The parade features Scottish Clans, music, dancing and lots of dog groups. Line up early to get a good spot, because the parade attracts over 30,000 to Old Town to watch the 140+ groups march. The parade kicks off at 11 and will likely go until 1. Here’s the map of the parade route.

At the end of the parade there is a massed band concert where all the musicians from the parade gather in market square to perform. This is a truly amazing experience!

All of the events of the weekend are presented by The Campagna Center. The Center is responsible for providing educational and developmental services for children and families.

Dec 02, 2011

One of Old Towns biggest holiday traditions is happening as I type; The 41st Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend! The taste of Scotland will be tonight and boy am I looking forward to this parents night out with my husband!  The heather and greens sale & the Christmas marketplace will be going on today until 5 p.m. and then the heather and greens sale will pick back up tomorrow from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Masonic Temple.

The big draw for the kiddos (if you missed your chance to score tickets for ‘Deck the Halls with Santa’ ) will be the big parade starting at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning.  Over 100 Scottish Clans, pipe and drum bands, Scottish dancers, re-enactment groups, Scottie dog groups, dignitaries and, of course, Santa Claus will march through the streets of Old Town. The parade route begins at the corner of Wilkes and South Saint Asaph Streets in Old Town and ends at King and Royal Streets. Following the parade a massed band concert takes place at King and Royal Streets in front of City Hall at Market Square at 1 p.m.

The Campagna Center will have an open house from 12-5 p.m. also on Saturday where they will be featuring a model train display by the Potomac Module Crew.   The Campagna Center, an organization that provides vital services for Alexandria’s children and families, puts on the Walk Weekend as their largest fundraising activity.