Need recommendations for Texas Highland events

[Dunbar]

Clan Dunbar is looking for a location for our next Annual General Meeting, AGM. We like to do them in association with Highland Games. Last year was Longs Peak in CO, 2015 in the quad cities in Iowa, 2014 in Dunbar Scotland. I have been elected Chieftain and often a new Chieftain hosts the next AGM in his home state. We usually have our AGM in September but I see most of the games in Texas are in the Spring, likely to avoid the sweat-box of September weather. We can move the games up but I need comments on the various games I see in Texas. I am near Houston but would rather go to the Hill Country or somewhere a bit more scenic. I went to prep school and College in San Antonio so my wife suggested having the AGM on the touristy river-walk. I see games in Helotes to the west in early April. I see the games in Kerrville, Kerr County Games, for 2017 dates are waiting to be announced. Games in The DFW metroplex - Arlington in May, Texas Scottish Festival. What others? Longs Peak was fantastic. They had full heavy armor jousting, a major Tattoo and large grounds with many tents. The parade of Clans through Estes Park was fabulous. Our Chief of Name, Sir James Dunbar 14Bt. of Mochrum, was very impressed. He has been to many events across the States and some in Scotland and said it was the best he had attended. Of course we were the honored Clan due to holding our AGM their, so we led the parade and Sir James, Lady Margaret and Chieftain Philip and his wife entered the grand event in horse drawn coaches. We have had AGM's at Chieftains houses but I would hope to have games or historical or scenic venues to draw numbers. Can anyone comment on Highland events in Texas?

[ShaunMaxwell]

There are five Highland games in Texas that I'm aware of, the largest of which is the Texas Scottish Festival in Arlington. (There's the Permian Basin games in March, the San Antonio games in April, Kerr County likely in October, and the Salado Scottish gathering in November.

As previously mentioned, the TSF in Arlington is the biggest, but not on the scale of Longs Peak. The others are relatively small events. Kerr County is the newest (and therefore smallest, as this year's event will be the third). I'd say that the San Antonio games would probably be your best bet if you want access to historical /tourist areas, though Helotes is a bit west of downtown. Salado is a quaint little town with touristy shops and bit of history as well, and as it occurs in November, the weather is usually pleasant.

If I were bringing in a bunch of folks, I'd choose San Antonio because of the many local attractions, but while a good event, it's not a huge one so I'd let that be known. You should contact someone at the SAHGA to get more details about the size of the event and typical crowd size.

Hope that helps!

SM

[Dunbar]

There are five Highland games in Texas that I'm aware of, the largest of which is the Texas Scottish Festival in Arlington. (There's the Permian Basin games in March, the San Antonio games in April, Kerr County likely in October, and the Salado Scottish gathering in November.

As previously mentioned, the TSF in Arlington is the biggest, but not on the scale of Longs Peak. The others are relatively small events. Kerr County is the newest (and therefore smallest, as this year's event will be the third). I'd say that the San Antonio games would probably be your best bet if you want access to historical /tourist areas, though Helotes is a bit west of downtown. Salado is a quaint little town with touristy shops and bit of history as well, and as it occurs in November, the weather is usually pleasant.

If I were bringing in a bunch of folks, I'd choose San Antonio because of the many local attractions, but while a good event, it's not a huge one so I'd let that be known. You should contact someone at the SAHGA to get more details about the size of the event and typical crowd size.

Hope that helps!

SM

Thank you Shaun! That is very helpful indeed.