2011 Central Kentucky Highland Games

[EagleJCS]

Attention all EUSPBA pipers, drummers and pipe bands!!! (And their fans, and other Scottish heritage enthusiasts.)

When: Sept 24, 2011.

Where: Eminence, KY

The Games are held at the Highland Renaissance Festival site – the address is 955 Elm Street, Eminence KY, 40019. Directions to the Games site east of Louisville: via I-64 - take the Shelbyville exit (#35). Head north on Hwy 53 – turns into Hwy 55. It’s about 12 miles to Eminence. When you get to Eminence, go through town until you come to the intersection for KY 22 (look for the Dairy Queen). Turn right (east) onto that highway; go about 0.8 miles - the site is on the right and marked.

Our judges: Piping: Jimmy Bell, Iain Macey, Reay MacKay. Drumming: Andrew Hoinacki.

We encourage soloists not affiliated with bands to join us for Opening Massed Bands if you'd like – join any band for the noon ceremony (band lineup at 11:45 AM). The P&D Awards Ceremony will be held in the Main Hall/Pub at 4 PM. We encourage all players to participate. We do give out Piper and Drummer of the Day awards in every amateur grade on all instruments. We will try our best to let each individual winner know this ahead of time. Award winners will be asked to come forward to receive awards then we'll announce the band awards.

For more info, please visit http://www.kyhighlandgames.com.

We currently have only 5 soloists and no bands enrolled.

[EagleJCS]

Due to the limited number of entries, it is not feasible to conduct the pipe and drum competitions on September 24. The Games themselves will still go on as scheduled, with all other events intact. There is still a plan to carry on with a duty band or two for massed bands and perhaps a performance, but those details have not been finalized.


It is our sincere hope that we will have a better attendance in 2012. We had made very real attempts to solicit entries throughout the year, but this season has proven difficult on so many bands, due to personnel issues, fuel prices, etc; nevertheless we were optimistic about holding the event. It's been noted that the first five to seven years are the most difficult in establishing an event, and generating momentum from soloists and bands alike. As time passes, this event will grow to be a great choice; other events within the sphere of this region have had to suspend their events, or plan to cancel them entirely. We at CKHG hope to not only build these Games, but are actively seeking to create new events as well to replace them, and continue to offer the P&D community a wide range of competitions to support.

[SlackerDrummer]

John,

I didn't wander passed the band area last year other than to enjoy some music and a few pints at Mikaela's Inn. So with no band competition this year, what do I get for the price of admission? Is it just a day-long showcase of Celtic music or is there actually stuff there?

[EagleJCS]

Kenneth, The LPB has been contracted to play for the opening ceremonies and to do a 'sidewalk concert' at 1:30. I think that'll be a 1/2 hour somewhere away from the main stage - the main stage is already occupied with the other entertainers. I'm told there will be a few other folks from Cyril Scot and 'the other pipe band in Lex' - not KY United - to join us at the ceremonies.

Otherwise, I think it'll pretty much be 'Highland-themed ren faire', with most of the regular Ren Faire site vendors (those with the established shops - or shoppes, if you prefer) and maybe a couple of others mixed in.

You're still welcome to come hang out and socialize with us LPB-ers. You can get updated on our latest venture (or just see the website for the gist of it). We've even got Ted and Pat back with us (they were at rehearsal this past Sunday, but I don't know if they're going to be there Saturday). I may not make it if I'm required to work overtime on Saturday. If I do make it, I'll be playing bass instead of piping (Eric and Robert - our main and back-up bass players - are both unavailable).