Clan Tents

[AcuteEnigma]

I have never run a clan tent before and it looks like I'm in charge of one for the San Diego games.

Any hints?

What do you like best about your clan tent?

What should most clan tents have but don't?

Are more people interested in
-famous clan members,
-where the clan is from in Scotland,
-history,
-genealogy,
-tartans or
-just partying?

Thanks for any help!

Julie

[James MacMillan]

In my limited experience, all clans tents are just slightly different. Sure all the things that you have mentioned and, well, just a clansman to talk to.

Be sure to stop over at the Free Child ID tent sponsored by the Freemasons, where I will be spending the majority of my time!

[AcuteEnigma]

Do I get a free child?

[James MacMillan]

Do I get a free child?

Sure - but later, the maintenance fee is very high!!!!

[beloitpiper]

Answer: all of the above! Give people a lot of reasons to visit your tent! Have a cooler of water bottles, book on your clan, plenty of tartan examples, history, genealogy, famous people, and anything else you can muster. Also, try to make it unique. For example, one of the clansmen brought his Gordon Setter because of their history with the clan.

[Glen C]

I've run a clan tent for a few years, and as James said "all the things you mentioned". What clan are you representing? Maps, books, tartan, flags, beveridges, and a sign-in book are probably the essentials. I have a clan history handout with an application to join the clan society. You will probably want a banner of some kind to identify your booth and to use in the parade (if you have one). I have about 4 yards of tartan I use as a table cover. I then put down my pictures and such and cover them with plexiglass, this protects everything from the wind and weather. My clan has a big DNA project going on right now so I have handouts on that. Probably the best advice I can give is start small and have fun. Walk around and see what the other clans are doing, you'll pick some ideas for next year.

[Glen C]

James,
Are you giving away Grant!
I think i'll stay on the east side of the Mississippi.

[haukehaien]

Free beer.

You'll have the most popular clan tent at the games.

[James MacMillan]

James,
Are you giving away Grant!
I think i'll stay on the east side of the Mississippi.

No - I tried to get him to come down, but he kept making excuses.

No place to stay - I offered the back of my pick-up.
No tranportation - I offered to teach him how to ride the rails.
His wife wouldn't let him - Pure Lie, she wants him out from under-foot.
No Passport - I offered to teach him to swim.

Excuses, excuses, excuses.....

I just think he's afraid to face up to the competition of the old man!

- - - -

[MacMoose]

All of the above is absolutely correct. I'd be careful with the free beer. Personally, I limit that to the more attractive ladies in the crowd, but hey, that's just me.

Lately, we have added a replica of Wallace's Claymore/Great Sword (not getting into the debate) and the kids love it. It also gets in a lot of photographs (usually with me as well, but I can't take credit).

A lot of Games here in NC now use a little booklet for kids..a passport, if you will...and they can get a stamp from every Clan tent they visit. So I recommend a rubber stamp or two. We have several, depending on the kids choice. Oh sure, you can use your clan badge or crest, but we have fun with it, and use Scooby Doo (a Lumsden, don't ya know?), a gnome and a wee haggis (with the words "Got Haggis?")

Some kids even want the stamp as a tattoo.

We also put out a candy dish or two (hard candies, and sometimes Licorice All Sorts), and some shortbread for the "mature" folks.

Good luck, and enjoy, it has become a hobby I relish.