What gets you to walk in the gate?

[xman]

A) Traditionally ... now and then.

B) I like meeting up with people.

C) Pipe band competition, beer tent, display and vendor's tents.

[Sir William]

A.) Are you a regular Highland Games attendee, or a first-timer/haven't been yet, or a "sort-of now-and-then" attendee?

Pretty much a regular since 1982. Less so for a few years when most of my weekends were taken up with my kids' activities.

B.) Why do you go? Is it an activity, being with friends, supporting family, competing, curiosity?

Currently I host a clan tent or participate with a living history group, but even if don't I like going to see friends, hear the music, browse the vendors, sample the beer and food, watch the dancing, and even watch the sheep dog demonstrations. Do a single-malt tasting if there is one. Its also a great place to wear a kilt.

C.) What are your favorite three things to do/see/participate in at the Games?

Friends, Music, Vendors (even if I never buy anything)

[Laird_M]

1. Being able to get to the event
2. being able to meet people and enjoy our shared heritage
3. having a pass from the wife...

[Spartan Tartan]

A. Attended my first this year. Can't wait to go to more, but there is only one local and the nearest others are in Texas. I would love to make the trip down, but life and work sort of get in the way.

B. I go because it's fun. I rather enjoy being able to wear my kilt and fit it as well.

C. People, food & drink, vendors, watching games (yeah, I realize that is four, but I actually enjoy so much about the event and the games are fun to watch).

[BLHS209]

A.) Are you a regular Highland Games attendee, or a first-timer/haven't been yet, or a "sort-of now-and-then" attendee?
Yes, I go to two different games (in different states also)

B.) Why do you go? Is it an activity, being with friends, supporting family, competing, curiosity?
the music bands, vendors and mostly-the pipe bands (love them pipes)

C.) What are your favorite three things to do/see/participate in at the Games?
Humm, the vendors - many have different stuff that I have not seen or thought of although most carry the same things.
Watching/listening (to) the pipe bands
Meeting up with other X-Markers!

Chris Shepherd

[biblemonkey]

OK, here's my question. All right, there's three of them.

A.) Are you a regular Highland Games attendee, or a first-timer/haven't been yet, or a "sort-of now-and-then" attendee?

B.) Why do you go? Is it an activity, being with friends, supporting family, competing, curiosity?

C.) What are your favorite three things to do/see/participate in at the Games?

A.) I went for the first time this year.

B.) I went for the beer, the kilts, the games, and the music.

C.) The games, the pipe competitions, hang out with a friend and see cool stuff.

[Jerry]

I've been attending several different games every year since 2004. For me, the three reasons to go in no special order are:

Checking out the vendors

Meeting up with other Xmarkers

The Entertainment (Albannach and Barleyjuice at the Meadow games in Doswell this year.) I hope Jamsie has recovered enough to be there.

I do watch some of the athletics, but spent mot of my time at the entertainment venues.

[Andy Proffitt]

1. Local games and area ones when I can untie the millstone.
2. Athletics, Pipes, Meet ups, etc.
3. Pipes, Athletics, dancing, checking out other peoples kilts and kit.

I prefer to keep my activities to Highland Games and avoid "Celtic Festivals". Some are good, but some seem to be merely an excuse to use that Leprechaun costume you have more than one time a year, give that local band ripping off (badly) Dropkick and Flogging Molly a place to play, and a place to get drunk and talk in a fake Elizabethan accent. Plus most of the time no one is kilted, there are no athletics and *GASP* NO PIPERS!!!

[Kiltboy]

A.) Are you a regular Highland Games attendee, or a first-timer/haven't been yet, or a "sort-of now-and-then" attendee?
B.) Why do you go? Is it an activity, being with friends, supporting family, competing, curiosity?
C.) What are your favorite three things to do/see/participate in at the Games?

A = sort of now and then
B = for the vendors, bands, athletes and people-watching (my favorite)
C = Shop/search for the perfect addition to my kilt outfits. Buy and beer and watch the world walk by while listening to music. Watch athletes throw heavy things in the air

[Riverkilt]

Been going since I was a lad.

Main reason to journey to a games is the VENDORS....to be able to see the goods, handle the goods, take them home with no shipping fees.

Enjoy looking at kilts in person - see other tartans made up into kilts....and the traditional low cut bodices of the ladies....be still my heart!!