Nor Cal Highland Games Cancelled

[auld argonian]

Frankly, I think that one of the big problems is the lack of general interest in Highland Games. Those of us who have ties through heritage or just kilt-iness support them but the general public doesn't though I suspect that they would if they were more aware of them. Sounds like you have a regular circuit in California as opposed to the scattered games here in the MidWest. Almost like we need a central source for Highland Games news and individual athlete's standings.

Geez...if NASCAR can become such a big thing, why can't Heavy Athletics?

I think that we all ought to become boosters and "evangelists" for the sport. Should be ways to promote it more on a regional and national level.

Maybe we need a steroid scandal..........

Best

AA

[Semiomniscient]

Frankly, I think that one of the big problems is the lack of general interest in Highland Games. Those of us who have ties through heritage or just kilt-iness support them but the general public doesn't though I suspect that they would if they were more aware of them. Sounds like you have a regular circuit in California as opposed to the scattered games here in the MidWest. Almost like we need a central source for Highland Games news and individual athlete's standings.

Geez...if NASCAR can become such a big thing, why can't Heavy Athletics?

I think that we all ought to become boosters and "evangelists" for the sport. Should be ways to promote it more on a regional and national level.

Maybe we need a steroid scandal..........

Best

AA

Well what about if we could first get our local sports networks to cover them on the local news--more than just a story on a festival, but actually discuss the athletic events. It'd be hard but getting one of the ESPN networks to cover a big games might bring interest... even if it is only on a premium channel in the middle of the night--it would get more coverage! People love scenes in shows when there is highland athletics... I remember an old episode of Home Improvement with Tim Allen participating in Highland Games. I mean, of course this is all a long-shot and what we really need is a big blockbuster like "Braveheart" to get people interested in things Scottish. Do we have any screen writers on the list?

[svc40bt]

Sorry to hear. Hopefully our fair number of local games will continue this year.

[Coinneach]

This is sad. I didn't realize how many Highland Games had been suffering in recent years.

So I hereby invite you to the Savannah Scottish Games. Having a home on the east coast, I've always been away during the games...not this year! I'm finally going to get a chance to support my local Games. The athletic competitions are always of high interest, as much as the music and dancing.

http://www.savannahscottishgames.com/

[auld argonian]

I mean, of course this is all a long-shot and what we really need is a big blockbuster like "Braveheart" to get people interested in things Scottish. Do we have any screen writers on the list?

Might be more like "Dodgeball" than "Braveheart".

"Why don't we pay it off in Canadian dollars and save ourselves some money ? ..."

Best

AA

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Well what about if we could first get our local sports networks to cover them on the local news--more than just a story on a festival, but actually discuss the athletic events. It'd be hard but getting one of the ESPN networks to cover a big games might bring interest... even if it is only on a premium channel in the middle of the night--it would get more coverage! People love scenes in shows when there is highland athletics... I remember an old episode of Home Improvement with Tim Allen participating in Highland Games. I mean, of course this is all a long-shot and what we really need is a big blockbuster like "Braveheart" to get people interested in things Scottish. Do we have any screen writers on the list?

I think we have to understand that Highland Athletics really is a minority sport, and receives less television coverage in the UK than snooker, or darts, or lawn bowling. That being the case, I don't see television executives in North America falling all over themselves to snap up the broadcast rights to Highland Athletics any time soon.

[Panache]

With all due respect to MoR, I suspect that a great many smaller Highland Games will cease and more "Celtic Festivals" or Renaissance Faire events will take their place. This is not necessarily good or bad, it just is. The ties that bind people to their heritage aren't what they were. Event organizers (rightly) need to ensure that they don't lose money on their events and will invest in those that have the broadest appeal (i.e "Celtic" vs. "Scottish").

Hopefully as this happens individuals involved with Scottish Heritage activities will take the opportunities given and make sure that heavy athletics, highland dance, SCD, mucic, and culture find a place in these new venues.

One thing to keep in mind that highland games here in the US are not what they are in Scotland.

Let's all make sure we promote the positive aspects of Scottish Heritage activities wherever we find the chance.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

With all due respect to MoR, I suspect that a great many smaller Highland Games will cease and more "Celtic Festivals" or Renaissance Faire events will take their place.


Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

Jamie,

I agree, and I think you are dead right about events that may be more broadly based than Highland Games replacing what might be characterized as "marginal" games. I doubt that anyone would argue that more people are interested going to big costume events like RenFaires than in attending traditional Highland Games, anymore than they would argue about theme parks out-drawing circuses. In other words "Tartan Carnivals" will always have a broader base to draw from as they are less "Scottish" than traditional Highland games.

As the Deputy Director of one of the more recent-- and successful-- traditional Highland Games in North America I probably have a tad more insight to what works, and what doesn't work, as far as attracting the crowds necessary to create a sustainable and financially successful games. Obviously regional preference, and prejudice, do play a large role in determining audience expectation. What we have found is that the vast majority of attendees don't go to Highland Games to talk like a pirate, or to be distracted by non-Scottish happenings. Entrance and exit surveys of attendees measure what they expect to experience and what they feel could be added (or dropped) to improve on the quality of their day at the games.

As far as reenactors are concerned the Games encourages the attendance of historically accurate groups that represent the uniformed Scottish regiments of the period 1715-1939. 2010 will see the launch of "Canteen Row", with the expectation that it will expand in the years to come as more authentically uniformed groups decide to take part.

The focus of the Games is, always has been, and will continue to be, on Scottish culture and heritage to the exclusion of anything that takes away from that goal. By adhering to this simple concept attendance has increased each year. Obviously, we are doing something right.

I believe that most games fail for two reasons: First and foremost, they fail to deliver the experience that the attendee expects. Those looking for a carnival, want a carnival; those who want a traditional day at the games don't want the distractions of "non-Scottish" activites. It's that simple.

The second cause of failure is a lack of good financial management. While volunteers are definitely an asset to any games, the financial management and year long promotion of the games is a full time job for at least two people. In the instance of the games I am involved with the Director and CFO are full-time professionals who are in the position of being able to work without financial compensation. Without this kind of expertise and dedication it is unlikely that any games will ultimately be successful.