The difference between going to and being at.

[James MacMillan]

At our recent games here in San Diego County, where I was the main driving force behind having a booth, I quickly realized the vast difference between going to a Highland Game, and being at a booth at a Highland Game.

At my previous games, I still spent two days, and almost as many hours, but I was able to see so much more. This year I didn’t get a chance to sit in the music / beer tent and get snockered listening to driving celtic music. I didn’t get to see the sheep dog competition, or the young lassies prancing around for the judges, or sample the fine old single malts. I didn’t get to hear the pipers battle against each other or even the band competitions.

But I did get to talk to many more people. I answered many questions and we gave out Free Child ID sheets to over 150 children. I got 3 of my Brothers into kilts for the first time (That alone was worth missing the sheep dogs!) I got sunburned the first day, and hid under my Tilley the second. I got to show off four of my tanks in 48 hours… and I got my fair share of compliments.

All-in-all, I had a blast…… guess I’ll do it again!

[bigdad1]

Jay there is always time for the beer tents and the sweet things but there often isn't time for the good deeds. I have two daughters and remember getting the child i.d.'s at events and being grateful for them and feeling safer all around. You did good my man and I respect you all the more for it. It was good to meet you and I look forward to seeing you again.

[Yaish]

Shoot, between the competitions and when I was selling Utilikilts, I've been to around 40 Highland Games in the past six years or so. I've been able to SEE three of them.

I've seen the Pomona Irish Festival twice, the Costa Mesa Games once, and actually I think that's about it. I love what I do, and it's far more exciting to be competing than just walking around but I'd really love to hear more of the music and see more of the dancers and other competitions. At least for the local games I can attend one day and compete the other.

[James MacMillan]

Hopefully for next year, we will have enough volunteers, to spread around the hours. Of course I have also heard that at some of the games the people that have booths, stay all night and sleep with their stuff, and impromptu parties erupt.

Is this true??

[Yaish]

Depends. At Seaside for example, they have onsite RV camping and people camping out in the vendor parking lot. Definitely lots of late night get togethers there. Other games are much more restrictive and you have to be OUT of the tents by a certain time and they have everything locked up and Security roving the grounds.

Renfairs are the ones notorious for the after hours parties. Lots of stuff happens there that can't be mentioned on a Family Forum.