Kilts, Bagpipes & Maybe Some Haggis: 39th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend in Old Town Alexandria, VA

I'll skip the haggis. 

Just doesn't sound appetizing does it? Haggis contains sheep's heart, live and lungs, minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt, mixed with stock and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for about 3 hours, according to Wikipedia.

Sorry for those of you who love it, but YUCK!

They (or at least Mike Myers on SNL) used to say that "If it's not Scottish, it's Crap!"

Well, then, here's an event that is most certainly not crappy! In fact, it's fun for the whole family and a long tradition in Alexandria, Virginia:

39th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend

This Friday December 4th and Saturday December 5th

Old Town Alexandria, VA

All the details are available by clicking on the link to the website above, but here's some highlights of the weekend's activities:

• Christmas Marketplace: Friday December 4th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for Taste of Scotland Guests.  Free Admission
  
  Located at the George Washington Masonic Memorial, this will feature children's items, jewelry, antiques, wreaths, garlands, decorative ribbons and more.
  
  
  
• Children's Tea Party: Friday December 4th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon $10/child, $30/adult
  
  Santa will partake in a tea party with the kiddies.  For a nominal fee, children can have their photos taken with Santa.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Taste of Scotland:  Friday December 4th from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.  Tickets $100/person
  
  Join almost 500 guests in tasting a variety of scotches.  Beer and wine as well as hors d'oeuvres will also be served at this reception.  The Lord and Lady Provost of Dundee, Scotland will be in attendance.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Scottish Christmas Walk Parade: Saturday December 5th starting at 11 a.m.
  
  The Campagna Center and The Saint Andrew's Society of Washington D.C. along with the City of Alexandria present the 39th Annual Scottish Christmas Parade.  The parade features over 100 Scottish Clans, pipe and drum bands, Scottish dancers, Scottie dog groups and dignitaries.
  
  The parade starts at Wilkes and South Saint Asaph Streets and will end at Market Square with a concert.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Holiday Designer Tour of Homes: Saturday December 5th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  
  Visit six historic properties in Alexandria, dressed up for the holidays by local interior designers and local florists.

Enjoy the bagpipes, and everything Scottish this weekend.  Donations to support this tradition can be made online at www.campagnacenter.org.