Anyone else notice this about the Games lately?

[Galician]

It has been suggested in other threads that this situation might lead to people going just to Games close to home. The Flora MacDonald case might seem to contradict this, but one of the reasons they gave for putting an end to this tradition was the lack of volunteers upon which to rely.

Does anyone think that this might lead to a shaking out of the various Games into smaller, more regional ones which would be within easy reach? I wouldn't see this as a totally negative direction.

[gilmore]

It may be that there are more games closer to centers of population that can draw more people than can those further away.

I live only 10-15 minutes' drive from Stone Mountain, site of what are said to be the second largest games in the US. Twice in the last 12 months I have been to smaller games/festivals further away, and both times wound up asking myself why I went so much further for so much less.

Another factor may be that some of the games are outgrowing their facilities and becoming less pleasant. E.g., I didn't go to Grandfather Mountain this year but have heard from some who did that while the camaraderie was nice, the onsite logistics were very disorganized, and that they probably won't be back.

[Bob C]

I'm going to two games/festivals this year instead of the 4-5 that I'd like to. Travel is just too damned expensive.

[Nighthawk]

The Elizabeth Celtic Festival had a really poor turnout. I blame that on the cost of travel. Gas prices are going to kill it. If turnout doesn't improve, the festival won't last two more years, and it's a fun festival too, which is sad. We'll see how this weekends Fort Collins Irish Festival turns out. Here's hoping!

attended the elizabeth celtic festival in colorado this last weekend. i live in new mexico, so it was about a 6 hr. drive from where i live.was just looking at my on line visa statement cost me about $400 bucks, vendor prices were a tad bit outta line, no gifts for the wife this time. the festival was also a tad bit disorganized, web site was a mess, and i drove right past the place for a few miles, before i turned around, almost a complete lack of signs. on the plus side i did enjoy myself. will probably attend next year?

semper fi

slick

Yes, those were also very problematic. A lot of people complained that they had to pay for parking, on top of paying admission, which I see as a valid complaint. I've never had to pay for parking for a festival with admission charges! And yeah, vendor prices were a touch high- what few vendors there were! I couldn't even find an interesting kilt pin!! People were actually trying to buy my sgain dubh right out of my boot!

[Caddy One]

Yes, you are not imagining it! One reason is that a few have been carrying the entire burden. One of my good friends and former student is clan commissioner for his clan in NC. One year his wife was seriously ill, so he announced that he could not make it to the more distant games. . . . there was no tent for his clan that year where he did not attend! The second oldest game in the state (NC) the Flora Macdonald games in Red Springs, NC has canceled this year (see link)http://www.capefearscots.com/. We here at Cape Fear Valley Scottish Clans hope to resurrect it, but that is still somewhat up in the air.

Just a note..........Heard that Scotland County (Laurinburg) might pick the games up.....you proabably heard the same................Not a bad idea....

[Jimmy Carbomb]

All I can see is this:

Four weeks ago, Grandfather Mountain sold-out its allotment for concert tickets on the "big night", and we had our best merchandise sales ever over the weekend. Money can't be hurting that bad.

Three weeks ago, The Great American Irish Festival in Utica sold-out for the festival grounds, and the Saranac Irish Red Ale sold out in 24 hours. This was one of the best events that I've ever been a part of!

Last week, The Detroit Highland Games doubled their all-time best attendance. These games were VERY well organized and included everything that you could imagine in Scottish culture. I'm not shocked that they're in their 159th year! They know how to make it interesting, and accomodating for patrons. Apparently, the money's no problem up there either since merchandise sales were brisk and the attendees were from ALL OVER the place.

From MY personal perspective on my "perched" vantage point, it's been one hill of a summer for attendance!!! All the crowds have been enthusiastic and energetic. I would imagine that it all comes down to which events know how to "put on a show" in every facet of the word.

~I can highly recommend the Detroit Games for anyone that truly appreciates the cultural side of the events. I learned SO MUCH about Scotland that I'm still reading more about what I was introduced to.

[JRB]

Another factor I've noticed this year has been the weather. Last spring and summer, all the games I attended enjoyed beautiful, dry, sunny weather. So far this year the games I've attended have been either freezing with biting winds and drizzly rain or ungodly hot and humid with periods of downpours and thunder storms. I know the economy has a lot to do with attendence (being out of work for the past 3 months has really cut down on my spending) but I definitely have heard folks mentioning how much crappy weather affects the success of a highland festival.

[MACKAY]

I have been attending various “Highland Games” since I was a wee lad. I have noticed that the overall numbers of ‘pure’ Scottish Games are dwindling, and I am seeing more and more “Festival” type settings.

These festivals usually have a mix of themes from pirates, to renaissance, to Celtic type vendors and events. It seems that many of the smaller games have just folded up, or combined into one of the bigger festivals. Several of the local tri-state festivals have “Scottish Days”, or such, but I do miss the ‘big’ games that used to be in the area.

[Chukta]

[QUOTE=MACKAY;573081]I have been attending various “Highland Games” since I was a wee lad. I have noticed that the overall numbers of ‘pure’ Scottish Games are dwindling, and I am seeing more and more “Festival” type settings.
These festivals usually have a mix of themes from pirates, to renaissance, to Celtic type vendors and events. It seems that many of the smaller games have just folded up, or combined into one of the bigger festivals.QUOTE]

I've noticed the same thing here at our local Games. The Renaissance Geeks and the White Surpremacists have ruined a nice event. I don't attend our local Games anymore due to that. The Renaissance types have their own fairs and festivals. Why muck up ours?

[creativeaccents]

I think that Matt is correct. Seems the older GAMES such as Stone Mountain and Grandfather Mountain have spawned many new ones, but they have also spawned many Celtic Festivals. Went to a few that were little more than small towns attempting to draw customers for the declining downtown areas. I'm reminded of the art festvals that used to be legitimate artists, but have evolved into opportunities to draw tourism and sell all manner of cheaply made crafts and gift items. When Celtic begins to imply all manner of wares imported from around the world, the attendees become quickly disenchanted.