Stone Mountain, GA - Games are on (so far) on October 15 -17, 2021

[CollinMacD]

Thanks for the added informtion, sent you PM....CHEERS.

[tripleblessed]

Progress! Received my invitation for first gathering of volunteers for the Stone Mountain Highland Games for THIS year. YAY! Ever more likely happening this year. Normally in
an indoor setting near the mountain, outdoors this year in a parking lot in Sandy Springs on the north perimeter, bring your own food. Normal years shared potluck. Recognition
and joke awards for last games, intro of new/retiring committee chairs, mention of lost members, etc. There is a persistent rumor that various potables have occasionally been
shared at these gatherings, but I'm reasonably sure this is a vicious rumor based totally on imagined stereotypes.

Should you wish to volunteer, there is info on the SMHG website. Folk come in from varied local areas, but also from out of state. Spend the week with good folk and see the nuts
and bolts of magic being made, then disassembled and stored Sunday evening and Monday. Free tickets and t-shirts.

The games will be October 15-17. We typically have more than a hundred clan and society tents, usual athletics, piping and dance competitions, lots of bands. Large vendor section.
If you've not been to a big games, it's a good one to take in. Most years good weather, beautiful site.

To one and all: Y'all come. Enjoy.

[JPS]

What do y'all think about travelling to Norcross for the events (like the Saturday ceilidh) at the host hotel vs. simply staying at the park after hours? It's a pretty long round trip, and we were planning to camp, but if it's worth going back and forth, we'll make it work.

[kiltedsawyer]

Tickets are now on sale on the SMHG web-site.

[kiltedsawyer]

What do y'all think about travelling to Norcross for the events (like the Saturday ceilidh) at the host hotel vs. simply staying at the park after hours? It's a pretty long round trip, and we were planning to camp, but if it's worth going back and forth, we'll make it work.

Never been to the ceilidh, (I agree it is unfortunately too far way.) We usually stay at one of the park hotels, but are camping this year. The SMHG host families for Clan MacLaren will all be camping this year so stop by. (We're usually pretty easy to find.) ALSO: The park changed the numbering on the campsites this past year. Your site wont have changed but the number most likely did. You may want to call the park and find out the new number.
Cheers,

David

[rebelrouser]

i look forward to seeing everyone....will our chief be attending ?

[kiltedsawyer]

i look forward to seeing everyone....will our chief be attending ?

I don't think he will be here this year, probably due to the pandemic. I look forward to seeing you as well.

Cheers,
David

[tripleblessed]

While at the mountain helping set up, I was told we have the largest pre-games sales ever. Come early; close parking may be in short supply and the lines at the gate long. Also, entrance is
different. Entry desk is in the nearest parking lot. The street in front of the old gate is closed and this tear holds food vendors; entry is directly across the street from the old spot, in the lot.

We normally gather for photos at the Tartan Museum tent. I'm suggesting two PM both Saturday and Sunday.

[tripleblessed]

What do y'all think about travelling to Norcross for the events (like the Saturday ceilidh) at the host hotel

I live in Norcross between I-85 and the Hilton., probably six minutes from hotel. It's generally about 20-30 minutes to the park, depending on route and traffic. In Atlanta terms,
that's pretty close; however, I-85, I-285, and the Stone Mtn. freeway are all unpredictable. At any time of the day or night, they can and do become parking lots. There are about
18,248 different ways to get around that, but the satnav systems don't understand trucks need to stay on main roads, and Atlanta paved deer and cattle trails and ridgelines, so most
roads meander to some unexpected place and you need to know the other 326 ways to get there. Clear so far?

At six/seven on Sat. evening, Stone Mtn. freeway will usually be quite busy, but flowing. North of merge onto 285 is the merge to 85, generally backing up then. Staying in left two lanes
should keep you moving somewhere between 45 and 85 mph. Did I mention that Atlanta traffic is quite fast when flowing? The merge off 285 onto Hwy. 141 to the hotel does back up
a bit much of the time, so start moving right just past I-85, as merging traffic from I-85 onto 285 complicates the exit onto 141. 141 usually moves at or above posted limit of 55. Not
an awful trip, but depends on your comfort level with six and eight lanes. Each way. Most of the trip is three lanes each way, but there's a reason the I-85/I-285 interchange is called
Spaghetti Junction (see satellite view on maps).

As an alternate, exit park in opposite direction, first exit (West Park Place), left onto Rockbridge to Lawrenceville Hwy., rt., left onto Indian Trail, left onto Beaver Ruin into Norcross. Rt. past City Hall, left after RR, rt. onto Holcomb Bridge to 141 North, right, at light u-turn back to Hilton. About the same distance, little more time, still some sanity on arrival. I've never made the ceilidh as I'm usually still in the meadow or parking lot in conversation.

Apologies for length, not a simple question.

[JPS]

Apologies for length, not a simple question.

No apology necessary. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We decided that, since we live in Snellville, were going to forgo the campsite and just stay at home during the games. That way we're 20 minutes from Stone Mountain, and we're 20 minutes from the host hotel, so we'll be able to play the ceilidh by ear.