Collecting Interest Data for Highland Games ~Your Assistance Requested

[Downunder Kilt]

What? you don't get programes when you go to Highland games. Everyone that I go to, you get a programe listing bands that are competing, what time they compete, what they are playing, times, location and type of the dancing competition, what heavy games are taking place and times for each event (sometimes with an explanation of the event). There is also a myriad of other information, such as list of vendors, often a map, dignatories that are attending, times of relevent official activities (opening/closing ceromonies)

I must say that someone should get onto the officials that run the games that you attend and get them to pull their collective socks up.

[beloitpiper]

Your assisted is requested!
A member of our Highland Games & Celtic Festival "Steering Committee" dismissed some of my anecdotal accounts of what people want to see at Highland Games and Celtic Festivals. I think this is in part a way to avoid certain aspects of such events that some of our organizations are committed to. So, I am looking to collect interest data for Highland Games from those in the Scottish and otherwise Celtic community. I will post this questionnaire on other forums and compile the data. Those of you who are members in multiple places, I ask that you respond only once. I am perfectly happy with discussion on the matter to be carried out here... However, please give consideration to responding to the questionnaire beforehand. Also, if I've left something rather obvious out of the list, please correct me.

Please rank your top three Highland Games/Celtic Festival attractions from the following:

_3_Athletics (Heavy)
___Athletics (Light)
_2_Clan Booth/Tent
___Club/Society Booth/Tent
___Celtic Canines
___Dancing
___Music (traditional bands)
___Music (contemporary bands)
_1_Music (bag piping/drumming)
___Re-Enactment/Living History Groups
___Sheep-dog Demonstration
___Vendors (Highland Attire)
___Vendors (Keepsakes: t-shirts, decorative weaponry, keychains, bumper stickers, etc.)
___Vendors (Alcohol)
___Vendors (Food)
___Workshops (please specify_______________)
___Other________________________________
___Other________________________________
___Other________________________________

Optional questions:
How far do you typically travel to attend a Highland Games or Celtic Festival?
100-150 miles.

How important is "ambience" of such an event to you? Can you give an example of good "ambience"?
Ambiance is very important. Not only is it a good setting, with lots of space and shade, but it is also the drone of pipes in the background and the clamor of camaraderie without rock music blasting from speakers.

What is the biggest "turn off" perpetrated by Games/Festival organizers?
RENAISSANCE FAIR PEOPLE. If you're going to have a cultural or historical demonstration, be sure to have credible cultural and historical groups doing the work. Don't let it turn into a Braveheart convention.

[Semiomniscient]

Those of you on the topic of programs--THANK YOU for that reminder. At games I've attended, I could sometimes get a schedule--they didn't necessarily come with the ticket though. "Programs" were purchased oftentimes... which I don't care for. But hey, the bills need to get paid.
I have never been acquainted even slightly with which athlete was which. That is unfortunate... and definitely something I'll look to combat as we plan our games.
All of your suggestions and comments are welcome. (Even your rants are most welcome!)

[gilmore]

Your assisted is requested!

Please rank your top three Highland Games/Celtic Festival attractions from the following:

___Athletics (Heavy)
___Athletics (Light)
__1_Clan Booth/Tent
___Club/Society Booth/Tent
___Celtic Canines
___Dancing
__2_Music (traditional bands)
___Music (contemporary bands)
_3__Music (bag piping/drumming)
___Re-Enactment/Living History Groups
___Sheep-dog Demonstration
_4__Vendors (Highland Attire)
___Vendors (Keepsakes: t-shirts, decorative weaponry, keychains, bumper stickers, etc.)
___Vendors (Alcohol)
___Vendors (Food)
___Workshops (please specify_______________)
___Other________________________________
___Other________________________________
___Other________________________________

Optional questions:
How far do you typically travel to attend a Highland Games or Celtic Festival? Up to 150 miles

How important is "ambience" of such an event to you? Can you give an example of good "ambience"?

Here in the American South shade and breeze are great, as well as holding the games during a cooler time of the year. We do not have Scottish weather, and Scottish dress evolved for that.

Things that appeal to a wide range of people and interests is also nice, as long as the them is Scots, not fantasy.

What is the biggest "turn off" perpetrated by Games/Festival organizers?

Bucket shops selling bogus "family coats of arms" and similar purveyors of misinformation.

Thanks for collecint this. I look forward to seeing the results.

[Tiny]

Those of you on the topic of programs--THANK YOU for that reminder. At games I've attended, I could sometimes get a schedule--they didn't necessarily come with the ticket though. "Programs" were purchased oftentimes... which I don't care for. But hey, the bills need to get paid.
I have never been acquainted even slightly with which athlete was which. That is unfortunate... and definitely something I'll look to combat as we plan our games.
All of your suggestions and comments are welcome. (Even your rants are most welcome!)

One thing the group I practice with enjoys is when we pay ahead of time, register early (sometimes months in advance) is to have shirts for competitors. all the guys in our group have atleast one shirt from the Brunswick Highland Games with the Games logo on the front and the competitors last name on the back.

The added bonus you get from shirts is this: I compete this year at your games you give me a shirt with my name on the back or atleast something saying I'm competing on the back of it. Next games I'm going to what shirt do you think I'll wear? I bring the shirt you gave me that has my name on it, and if they don't give me a shirt you get free press for your games around a group of people who clearly go to Highland events cause thats where we are.

Doesn't force you to print out hundreds of fliers but does help the crowed track the athlete. The key is to get those who will be competing to register atleast a month before the event. I've been registered to compete at Brunswick since Feb. or Mar. I would kind of expect with that much lead time my name should be printed somewhere.

[PEEDYC]

Your assisted is requested!
A member of our Highland Games & Celtic Festival "Steering Committee" dismissed some of my anecdotal accounts of what people want to see at Highland Games and Celtic Festivals. I think this is in part a way to avoid certain aspects of such events that some of our organizations are committed to. So, I am looking to collect interest data for Highland Games from those in the Scottish and otherwise Celtic community. I will post this questionnaire on other forums and compile the data. Those of you who are members in multiple places, I ask that you respond only once. I am perfectly happy with discussion on the matter to be carried out here... However, please give consideration to responding to the questionnaire beforehand. Also, if I've left something rather obvious out of the list, please correct me.

Please rank your top three Highland Games/Celtic Festival attractions from the following:

_2__Athletics (Heavy)
___Athletics (Light)
___Clan Booth/Tent
___Club/Society Booth/Tent
___Celtic Canines
_3__Dancing
___Music (traditional bands)
___Music (contemporary bands)
_1__Music (bag piping/drumming)
___Re-Enactment/Living History Groups
___Sheep-dog Demonstration
___Vendors (Highland Attire)
___Vendors (Keepsakes: t-shirts, decorative weaponry, keychains, bumper stickers, etc.)
___Vendors (Alcohol)
___Vendors (Food)
___Workshops (please specify_______________)
___Other________________________________
___Other________________________________
___Other________________________________

Optional questions:
How far do you typically travel to attend a Highland Games or Celtic Festival?
50 - 100 miles
How important is "ambience" of such an event to you? Can you give an example of good "ambience"?
Very. It has to be SCOTTISH
What is the biggest "turn off" perpetrated by Games/Festival organizers?
Non Celtic themed stalls and music

You didn't metion a Drum Major competetion. I have just returned from an Englaish Gathering in Ashbourne Derbyshire. The Drum Majors compete for best drilled etc but also have a competition. They must march in time and throw their mace over a 16 foot high banner and catch it without breaking step. They then go on with the massed bands and do the same again in the town where they do it again over a 16 foot high pub sign spaning the street. The crowd go wild for this. It was one at Ashbourne by a lady who a current world champion.

[macwilkin]

Please rank your top three Highland Games/Celtic Festival attractions from the following:


1 Clan Booth/Tent
2 Music (traditional bands)
3 Workshops (Tartans, Scottish History, Genealogy, etc.)

Hard choices in the list Jamie provided; I chose the above because these are generally the reasons why I go to games nowadays -- I am either participating with my clan society, or giving some of workshop on Tartan, etc. I also enjoy the pipe bands, athletics and the sheep-dog demonstrations.


Optional questions:
How far do you typically travel to attend a Highland Games or Celtic Festival? 30-200 miles.

How important is "ambience" of such an event to you? Can you give an example of good "ambience"? The venue is everything: I prefer a park or a historical setting, such as a home or historic site with Scottish connections. I especially like to see organizers emphasize local Scottish connections; while everyone loves Wallace and the Bruce, I think it is important to show folks how Scottish immigrants added to their local community and the USA/Canada/etc. first -- that makes games (in diaspora countries) far more relevant, INMHO.


What is the biggest "turn off" perpetrated by Games/Festival organizers?
As Gilmore mentioned, the presence of "bucket shops" selling "family crests" and bogus genealogies to unsuspecting visitors. Ren Faire and Pirate types, non-Scottish related vendors, etc.

I don't mind the Haggis Hurls & Bonnie Knees Contests; I think they're in the spirit of the games, with a little bit fun thrown in.