Quote Originally Posted by Canuck View Post
I hope you will raise your concerns and provide solutions with the organisers of the Fergus Games.
Actually the clans can raise funds from membership drives as well as sell clan memorabilia such as t-shirts badges to assist covering costs. much more than that it gets into vendor territory.
It's up to the clans to staff their booths. They receive weekend passes as part of the fee so that's out of the hands of the Games.
The space was $50 including passes ! You didn't have to set up a tent nor take it down or even purchase a tent.I'm not sure what more value in kind you can get for that fee. To attend the games for the whole weekend you would have easily spent $150
Keep in mind the Games also has to pay for the pipe bands, judges, the entertainment and prizes and a hefty insurance bill, for the participants, these are the drawing cards to attract people to come to the games and possibly reunite with their clans.
As a vendor we do not get off lightly, we pay a considerable sum of money for that 10x12' space. Plus electricity, water hook-ups. Insurance, tents, travel camping on site (It can add up to $1000 fast). I am there to make money but I have to sell a lot of product ( a few kilts, sporrans and belts before I see a profit)
Both Pete and I handle our booths alone and we rely on each other to watch over the booth whilst we escape for a bathroom break, or go for a coffee. That's our choice we have to deal with it as we could easily hire someone to work with us (there goes our profit).
Do I have issues with the Fergus games? I do have some challenges, I try and figure out how I can solve them and to what extent I will prepare for them next time.
I think you made a wise decision not to participate in the clan avenue next year and hopefully experience the pageantry, the music, the dance and the heavies the Fergus Games have to offer.
Trenton and Owen Sound have a nice set of Games and they are in the future so maybe you can catch them as well.
It is evident in your response that you have no clue what is involved in running a clan tent and how clan societies operate. I invite you to get involved in your own clan. Until you have seen it from the clan tent perspective you really have no experience to base an opinion. Oh and for the record, we were dealing with the organizers. They were not interested in fixing the problems. The end. They lost me as a clan tent for good. And because I'm not the only one who is unhappy with Fergus, I'm going to be very interested in seeing how many clans return next year. As far as I am concerned the matter is closed.