So ... how does it all get done? How does a private, non-profit club put on a show that has seen as many as 50,000 visitors over a two-day weekend? Obviously a lot of year-round organization of the part of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco, but this page is dedicated to the guys on the front lines and behind the scenes for the week that stretches from Monday before the Games until around noon on Labor Day.
Several semi-trailers are moved in - usually under tow by one of our truck-driving members - and under the long-term leadership of Ken Cheeseman, close to 50 dedicated people labor for several days unloading, delivering and setting up much of the props you see around the grounds.
On the actual days of the Games, things quiet down from the setup to a mad dash to fix the broken, deliver the forgotten, put out the fires and deliver ice and beverages to the competition areas.
When the Saturday Games are over not a few of the grounds crew are too bushed to head back to the hotel for a shower and change into Scottish finery for the evening do.
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From the left: Scott Carlisle, current crew chief, and John Burton, and Ken Cheeseman, the past crew chiefs. |
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HQ with a bunch of the gang. |
Behind-the-scenes activities include:
- monitoring Fairgrounds, ET crew and our own radio frequencies to coordinate any emergencies
- driving special guests as well as elderly attendees in our myriad golf carts
- assisting with the huge Opening Ceremonies march onto the racetrack
- answering every committee chairman's request for assistance when something breaks
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