Anyone else notice this about the Games lately?

[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.