Photos from the Fergus Highland Games 2009

[pdcorlis]

Looks like a good time was had by all - thanks for posting Glen!

[duchessofnc]

Sorry to hear that you had trouble. Fergus and Maxville are about the only Games in Ontario that supply the tents or a barn for the clans to set up in. All the other Games I have attended the clans were responsible to set up their own tent. In the end I think you had an hour before the gates opened to set-up your table and chairs, books and banner. Your booth did look nice and the shortbread was a wonderful touch.
Fergus did have some challenges as there was a truck festival the week before and it damaged the grounds combined with a week of rain and a number of things had to be changed around at the last minute.
These games are run by volunteers, not everyone was available like they had hoped.
Fergus is the second largest in Ontario, Last year and this year the weather wasn't too kind as a result a number of festivals lost money, We lost a number this year and more will be gone next year.
All in all I had a good time at the games, it was a treat to see xmarkers and razz Glen. Great photos Catherine and Glen it was a pleasure seeing you again.

I will second all of Roberts comments I had a wonderful time lots of old friends showed up we had a fairly good weekend the short bread rocked by the way sorry i didn't get a chance to see your booth take guys and gal

I appreciate that you have nothing but good experiences but your perspective on this is entirely different than the clan tent perspective. Clan Tents are also ran by volunteers often without any outside help. The poor lady in the Gunn Tent was stuck there for the entire day. She didn't even have someone offer to take over the tent so she could go eat. We watched the tent for her. The Murrays may not be there next year because they've been doing this for 25 years and it's been all them.

True this is one of the few games that actually provides the tent for you. That's great and all. However, it is also in Ontario one of the few games that you pay for. Which tells me that we should have been treated a whole lot better than we were. Furthermore, it also tells me that I can't be the only one with an issue on this because according to several of the existing clans they were half the size this year than they were last year.

A vendor makes money at the games. A clan tent does nothing but spend. All in all, Glen and I estimate that we spent roughly $150 for the games. If not more.

[Canuck]

I appreciate that you have nothing but good experiences but your perspective on this is entirely different than the clan tent perspective. Clan Tents are also ran by volunteers often without any outside help. The poor lady in the Gunn Tent was stuck there for the entire day. She didn't even have someone offer to take over the tent so she could go eat. We watched the tent for her. The Murrays may not be there next year because they've been doing this for 25 years and it's been all them.

True this is one of the few games that actually provides the tent for you. That's great and all. However, it is also in Ontario one of the few games that you pay for. Which tells me that we should have been treated a whole lot better than we were. Furthermore, it also tells me that I can't be the only one with an issue on this because according to several of the existing clans they were half the size this year than they were last year.

A vendor makes money at the games. A clan tent does nothing but spend. All in all, Glen and I estimate that we spent roughly $150 for the games. If not more.

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.

[duchessofnc]

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.

[Panache]

The dutchessofnc, Cannuck, and MacHummel have all offered their perspectives on the Fergus Highland Games.

Certainly a lot of effort goes into producing events like this and constructive feedback is useful for the event organizers. No event is perfect and there is always room for improvement.

Since the dutchessofnc considers the matter closed perhaps we can get back to more pictures from the Fergus Games!

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Cynthia]

Great photos, thanks so much for sharing them! I particularly enjoyed seeing Diana Gabaldon with the Saltire as well as the long-hair photo. Best wishes!

[Highlander31]

Sorry to hear you had some problems. Headaches can make for a miserable time in short order. Your photos still turned out wonderful.