Need Help: Org Day Highland Games

**Drillagent** · 5th May 09, 07:31 AM

You're not going to believe this one. Ok, here goes. Now, I've done a lot of talking up my Scottish heritage at my unit. I convinced the Commander to let us wear kilts on Casual Fridays. We celebrated Tartan Day by passing out paper ribbons printed in tartan. I even got the Unit logo changed to a clan badge. (Thanks Caberdancer) Now, here's the kicker. The HHC Commander has asked me to coordinate for this years Organizational Day (basically a giant Brigade sized BBQ) to include Highland Athletics. He wants this years theme to be ethnic and he's tired of the usual softball and football tournaments. So he asked me to develop basically a mini Highland Games.

Now I've done some research here and at NASGAWEB as well. Matter of fact, I got some great ideas on how to make my own implements from the forum here. My problem is time. If I have a lot of people show up, I might run out of time.

So, for you iron throwers out there, which would be better. One event at a time, or round robin. In other words, would it be ok if I have five events going all at once, and when the competitors have completed their event, they move to the next one, or should I have one event going at one time and when everyone is done, set up for the next event. Room is not an issue as we will have the entire park to ourselves.

The events I plan to have are Open Stone, Braemer Stone, WFD, WFH, and Hammer. I don't have a sheaf, and frankly the CDR is afraid someone will stab themselves with the pitchfork. And I'm scared of trying the caber. Although I have thought about finding a very light 16' tree just so people can say they've tried it.

Please tell me what you think, and I thank you ahead of time for your input.

**Detroitpete** · 7th May 09, 10:22 AM

Breaking things up is best if you have multiple classes and a number of athletes. That games I competed in had 3 classes (A's, B's and Masters) Master's started at stones, A's Sheaf and B's on Hammers. We saved the caber for the end.

Don't fear the sheaf or caber ;-) I'd say if its a bunch of inexperienced guys who are just out for fun, get a light caber--65-70 lbs 14-16 feet and have fun with it. Aye, watch the sheaf forks though--can get a nasty leg gash if you don't know what you're doing.

If these guys don't have a lot of experience--might be better to chuck 'em all into the same mix and march from event to event.

Post to the NASGA site on the AD forum and see what they say. Good luck!

**Detroitpete** · 7th May 09, 10:23 AM

Errguh--typo__Not "That Games"--meant The last games..."

**medic78** · 7th May 09, 07:50 PM

x2 what pete said have fun and throw far

**thatcelticband** · 7th May 09, 11:31 PM

need music?

**Drillagent** · 8th May 09, 06:06 AM

Thanks for the advice. You have confirmed my plans. I think we've decided on three stations. Open Stone, Braemer, and WFD at one station. The second station will be the WFH, and then the last station will be the Hammer. Since the WFH station will take longer as the height goes up, we thought we'd put all the distance events at one station. The hammer I wanted all by itself so there wouldn't be a large crowd. I don't have a backstop in case someone loses control. Also, since we're short on time and this isn't an actual Highland Games, we might change the rules to only allow two throws per event.

As far as the caber. I have a 16' caber, but it's pretty heavy. I'll try and take it this weekend and shave it down some. We'll use that as a "if you want to try it you can under supervision" type event.

We'll have 12 competitors trying for the Commander's Cup before noon. Then after lunch we'll open it up to anyone who wants to compete.

We're also thinking about having Friday afternoon practices each week until the Org Day. That should make things easier.

**Drillagent** · 8th May 09, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by thatcelticband

need music?

Let me know if you will be around the Central Virginia area on 11 June. I'll talk to the Entertainment committee at the meeting next week. If you have any details on how you usually make your money, let me know. This isn't your typical Highland festival crowd. Lots of 9 pound brains and their families, so CD and Tshirt sales might be kind of weak. Personally, I think it would be awesome!! But that's just me.