40th Stone Mountain Highland games Oct 20 2012

[Thomas H]

For those of you unfamiliar with the park, and planning to drive, a quick note for your sanity. The map which is linked from this thread is for some unknown and relatively inexplicable reason totally reversed. Note the compass rose in the upper left corner - north is down, south up; east is left and west right. The Stone Mountain Freeway, Highway 78 shown at the bottom, runs above, north of the mountain. The meadow is between the main entrance off 78 and the West Gate. Coming in the main gate, Jefferson Davis Drive t-bones Robert E. Lee Boulevard, bear right. It will become obvious where to turn right to park and enter the Games. The Meadow is north of the mountain. If you pull up the park on Google maps, you can see it correctly. If you're familiar with the area, you may find smoother sailing entering at the West Gate.

It is the map from the web site , they put it on there like that , I would think they did it to
show the front of the park . but yes once any one gets into the park the signs will tell
them where to go . it is not hard just roll your window down and listen for bagpipes . lol
-Key is to get there early and not to wait until 3.00Pm to show up . then the traffic is bad .

[tripleblessed]

Apologies if needed, Thomas. Was not impugning your linking or choosing abilities, just hoping to be of service.
I believe the original of that map was provided by the park authority, but it has never made sense to me to have
drawn it that way. Of course, in this time of navigation systems in cars, some might never learn enough about
maps to realize the difference from convention.

[Dixiecat]

Looks like I'll be in attendance at the Games this year. Not sure about plans for Friday night, still need to check with my host.

[Dixiedog]

Hey Jim... John Rickman here...

Got an Idea that I'd like to Run by you for consideration... Since it's such a FAR Piece To Drive for some of us outside of the Local Area of Stone Mountain, and because of the Price of Gas how days... It would really be a Great Help and Far More Economical for a Bunch of us that would like to attend the Tavern Meet & Greet and the Opening Day Games at the Mountain, if we could do the Tavern Meeting & Greet, AFTER the Close of the First Day Games at the Mountain on Saturday Night (Since the Tavern and the Mountain are in the same Local Area).

I and others that might really like to do both, but due to Distance from Home, might have to Choose between either One or the Other. Just a thought...

Thanks...
John Wm. Rickman, Jr.
Senior Protective Services Officer
Mary Kay Southern Branch

Sorry to be so long in getting back here; been out of town and attending to work.

We can meet at the Celtic Tavern anytime, but I'll be there by 6:00 or so. I've warned Greg, the owner, that we'd be invading and probablyl reiving cattle and such, so he's looking forward to us. I really hope everyone will give it a shot since it's such a nice, low-key place to meet and talk, stand in the street, tell lies, and oggle women. Drinking is not required by any means, but it's certainly encouraged.

Go here for a good idea of the place and other information. http://conyersceltictavern.com/

[thescot]

Dixiedog/John: I would be open to either or both nights. I picked Friday originally since a lot of folks were coming from out of town and didn't have much to do once they got here on Fridays unless they went to the Sponsors' Reception. OUr gathering is much more laid back, and XMarkers are easier to find at the Cletic. :-)

I also wonder if the rabble would not be too tired after a day at the games for an evening out.

As for me, I can do whatever the rebble desires. Heck, I'll be there both nights if you like. The main thing is to have a venue where it's relatively peaceful and unhurried where we can enjoy conversation and a wee dram. The Celtic provides a good place for peaceful social intercourse and inbibing.

Just let me know what the rabble desires.

[Thomas H]

What's the Sponsors' Reception like ? I have only been to one in Savannah Ga .
BUt becuase we are doing the Clan Ferguson Tent we got tickets to the dinner.

I am not one for the whole PC and black tie thing (just not me ) but I do have a black tweed I can wear , Any way
what is the rabbles opt. on the SMHG dinner ?
-Should I go -due to having tickets or should I opt. out ?

Thank you

[thescot]

BTW: I am trying to arrange for all my grandchildren to meet at the Celtic Tavern early for a photo op. They range in age from 5 (the oldest and the sweetest little girl on earth. there are pictures on this site somewhere>), to 4, to 2 to 1. All boys have kitls and sporrans courtesy of me, and I only make requests like this about 3-4 time s a year: at this outing, at the Burns Supper, at the St. Paddy pariade, and some other time I can't remember because I am old and forgetful.

So, bring your kids and grandkids if you like. We can always do a kids' picture.

[thescot]

What's the Sponsors' Reception like ? I have only been to one in Savannah Ga .
BUt becuase we are doing the Clan Ferguson Tent we got tickets to the dinner.

I am not one for the whole PC and black tie thing (just not me ) but I do have a black tweed I can wear , Any way
what is the rabbles opt. on the SMHG dinner ?
-Should I go -due to having tickets or should I opt. out ?

Thank you

I always found it to be nice--lots of food and drinks and beautiful people--but it's a long way off, at least it seems to be for people who are from out of town. And it's pretty impersonal, I think. I always wore either black tie (a PC) or a doublet with breichan feile and lace. I was never over dressed, so I would say the tweed might be under dressed, but I haven't gone in several years, either. I'll let others answer more definitively. I know I wouldn't go unless I was at a black tie level of dress, though.

I started inviting folks to the Tavern as an alternative; it's closer to Stone Mountain, it's not as dressy, and it's almost exclusively Xmarkers (with some local talent thrown in for fun). I've even had a few folks stay at a local Jameson or other cloase motel for the games, since they avoid the Stone Mountain crowding and get better rates. And, it's closer to the booze at the Celtic! Ha. Also, I know the back way to the Mountain, so the traffic is less. Also, you don't have to have a sponsor's ticket to get in.

I'd love to see you in Conyers, but the reception is pretty posh if you decide on that.

[Thomas H]

Thank you for the info , I figure as much -I dont know why they add the cost of the dinner into the clan ticket but anyway .

I would love to try and make the celtic . will know more ,the closer we get .
I wonder If I could sell my ticket to the dinner lol

[AcuteEnigma]

The reception Friday night is "by invitation only", but the Celtic Tavern is a fair ways away.
hmm

So no decision yet.