Anyone else notice this about the Games lately?

[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.

[Panache]

We have at least 10 different games / celtic festivals in / or a reasonable from the Bay Area. I can understand parring down the number of Games to the ones that are really big or have some special feature to them.

The Loch Lomond Games are one of the smallest but have a great setting and a nice fun atmosphere.

The Pleasanton Games are one of the world's largest and a must see

I feel I have to support the Campbell Highland Games (in spite of the terrific heat and few vendors) being that they are about 5 miles from my house.

As for the others...

Sometimes you have to choose.

Cheers

Jamie

[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!