It's not just in Scotland that some Games are stuggling. As far as I know, the Kentucky Scottish Weekend - second weekend of May - is having one last year in 2012 (to make it an even 30 years), but the last I heard, there will not be a pipe band competition, probably no Highland dance competition, and there may not be much in the way of entertainment either. The number and variety of vendors has fallen off in the last couple of years, and the 'Weekend' went to Saturday only a couple of years back as well. Attendance has also fallen as people have tightened their belts during the recession.

The Glasgow (KY) Highland Games (weekend after Memorial Day) did not have a pipe & drum competition in 2011, and may not in 2012. We're hoping the funding comes through, but it's not looking too good.

Of course, P&D competitions are a loss leader for a Games (the cost of judges and awards far outweighs the revenue generated by the entry fees, even taking into account the gate passes purchased by the family & friends of band members). Having helped to organize the contest for the past several years, I have a breakdown of what it actually costs to run the Glasgow Games P&D contest if anyone's interested.

It may be different in areas with a larger population of Scots-descended folks.