2018 Kerr County Celtic Festival cancelled

[ShaunMaxwell]

I received an email this morning from the Kerr County Celtic Festival informing me that the 2018 event has been canceled due to a lack of vendors, sponsors and volunteers.

I was very sorry to hear that. I always looked forward to this one because it gave me a chance to hang out with Tobus, Jack Daw and others.

Perhaps they’ll be able to resurrect it next year...

SM

[cessna152towser]

Sad news indeed. We had to give up our local highland games a few years ago for much the same reasons.
We could not get the vendors to come because there was not enough paying public to buy their wares. Without the income from vendors we needed sponsors and were running out of people to beg sponsorship from. We were a four person committee, helped only on the day of the event by the local rugby club.
To attract a good calibre of Heavies contestants, pipe bands and highland dancers you need to be able to offer worthwhile prizes, so games are costly to stage.

[Tobus]

Wow, I was not expecting that! I thought it did great last year and was expected to do even better this year. This is a major disappointment, as I was really looking forward to it. It was nice to have an event like this just a couple miles from my house, instead of having to drive an hour or two like it is for the others.

Maybe I'll try to make the journey to Salado this year. It's just a lot of driving for a day trip, and it's probably too late to get a hotel nearby.

[super8mm]

I got my email yesterday, that is a cool place for a festival with Stonehenge and all.

[GrymJack]

I am very sad to hear the event was cancelled. My wife and I attended the last two years and had a great time. Unfortunately the vendors have to make a living and if not enough folks spend their money the vendors will vanish. My wife is a quilter and has had similar problems with the Quilt Shows she attends. I would hope the folks who attended the Kerr County event will consider the Salado event. Since it is in my backyard it is a no brainer for me, but can be quite a drive for some.

Hope to see you there,

Jack

[KiltedSergeant]

I've seen games in this area of California take a hiatus for a year, or even two, and then come back to life. Maybe Kerr County can manage it, as well. I have been active in the games' committee of a very successful, long running games in my area, and I can tell you that it takes a HUGE amount of volunteer time and effort to make it happen. Most people don't have the time to get involved, or unfortunately only have the inclination to GO to games without any desire to help make them happen. I would suggest to those who love going to games and festivals to try to get involved and help make them successful. If one doesn't have a lot of time, there are many smaller tasks that need to be done that he or she could help with. Consider getting involved.

[Baeau]

I've seen games in this area of California take a hiatus for a year, or even two, and then come back to life. Maybe Kerr County can manage it, as well. I have been active in the games' committee of a very successful, long running games in my area, and I can tell you that it takes a HUGE amount of volunteer time and effort to make it happen. Most people don't have the time to get involved, or unfortunately only have the inclination to GO to games without any desire to help make them happen. I would suggest to those who love going to games and festivals to try to get involved and help make them successful. If one doesn't have a lot of time, there are many smaller tasks that need to be done that he or she could help with. Consider getting involved.

Several years back the Campbell (CAlifornia) games went through losing the site at the last minute. A year off, then to another site. Then gone. Lack of sponsor dosh, volunteer help, et cetera.