Festive fanfare coupled with vibrant colours ruled the roost at the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games where film stars, sportsmen, royalty and myriads of local performers all came together to produce a gala of an event.
In a ceremony that focused on Scottish history, tradition and culture, local performers and actors put out a loud and bold show that bore subtle nuances to the ceremony organised by India in 2010.
The proceedings of the night began with the showing of a video clip featuring Scottish actor Ewan Mcgregor, who welcomed the world to Scotland and urged everybody to make donations to UNICEF in order to help better the lives of children worldwide.
No sooner did the video message end than the stage burst into song and dance with people dressed in traditional attire performing a musical extravaganza for the 40,000 live and 1 billion-odd worldwide audiences.
A dose of comedy soon ensued with actor John Barrowman and comedian Karen Dunbar making their stage entry from underneath a gigantic traditional kilt before crooning to "Welcome to Scotland".
Live performances by Grammy winner Rod Stewart, Glaswegian singer Amy McDonald, Nicola Beneditta and Susan Boyle followed suit at Celtic Park with the latter performing "Mull of Kintyre."
The arrival of the Queen followed up the live performances where she made her way into the stadium accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh with a rendition of the Scottish National Anthem closely ensuing.
Scotland first minister Alex Salmond then called for a one-minute silence to be observed in memory of the Malaysian Airlines victims and also spoke a few words in honour of the late Nelson Mandela.
The athlete parade then followed suit with team India's flag bearer Vijay Kumar kicking off the proceedings and waving the tri-colour with pride. Each contingent was led by women dressed in traditional attire accompanied by Scottish terriers bearing jackets with the respective country's name imprinted on them.
The Indian men sported team blazers topped off with traditional red turbans while the women athletes stepped out in green sarees and team blazers with current hosts Scotland the last ones to walk out but to the loudest of cheers of the night.
The event's chief charity partner, UNICEF, put out several videos all throughout the ceremony where after each country's athlete parade, their respective brand ambassador would appear on the gigantic LED to throw light on the good work being done for ailing children in their countries. Sachin Tendulkar made an appearance for India while Sir Alex Ferguson appeared for Scotland.
The Queen then read out the message hidden in the baton to signal the official start of the games.
"The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth and serves as a reminder of our shared ideals and ambitions as a diverse, resourceful and cohesive family," said the Queen.
"And now, that baton has arrived here in Glasgow, a city renowned for its dynamic cultural and sporting achievements and for the warmth of its people, for this opening ceremony of the Friendly Games."
The opening looked quite successful in reeling in a festive spirit amongst the players but the focus now shifts on the games where 4500 athletes will partake in 17 sporting disciplines.
