Competitions can be enjoyable as long as everyone agrees that losing is not a strike against anyone or anything. Every contender and his or her entry may rate five stars, but only one will be declared the winner. So please compete in the spirit of having fun. Winners will receive gift certificates to our Retreat Store and the adulation of the O’Flaherty Retreat community. Not surprisingly, these events are for our students who are enrolled in this year’s retreat. Here’s our list of contests:
Dessert Contest
We are looking for delicious desserts that will knock the judges socks off. Your recipe may be as simple or complex as you like, but be sure to bring a card with the name of the dessert and the list of ingredients. We don’t want the judges to suffer an allergic reaction to anything. The contest will be conducted before the Texas BBQ Dinner at 6:15 p.m., Thursday, October 19th in the Texas Pavilion. Bring your entries to Louvain Guiomard at 6 p.m. next to the big fireplace. Several of our instructors will serve as judges. Winners (1st, 2nd & 3rd) will be announced and prizes awarded at the dinner and posted on our Facebook group page.
Tablescape Contest
We are looking for a colorful and creative arrangement of items that produce an attractive and decorative effect and are placed in the center of your dinner table at the Texas BBQ Dinner on Thursday, October 19th. To enter, contact Louvain Guiomard at info@oflahertyretreat.org before the deadline of October 13th. Please arrive between 5-5:30 p.m. to receive further instructions from Louvain Guiomard about placing your tablescape. The next day, your tablescapes will be relocated to the Dining Hall to be enjoyed by fellow students throughout the weekend. Several of our instructors will serve as judges and there will be a “students’ choice” selection. Winners (1st, 2nd & 3rd) will be announced and prizes awarded Saturday during lunch and posted on our Facebook group page.
Song Contest
We are looking for original song compositions that best reflect the storytelling tradition of Ireland through songs. The topics do not have to be about Ireland, but it certainly doesn’t hurt given the nature of our camp. We also prefer ballads, airs and other traditional songs similar to those commonly heard in the pubs and music halls of Ireland. They can be humorous, sad, energetic, solemn, historical or fanciful. To enter, send an MP3 of your song, before the deadline of October 17th, to info@oflahertyretreat.org. A review committee comprised of former instructors will serve as judges. The winner will be announced one evening at the retreat during an instructors concert and the winning MP3 posted on our website and Facebook group page.
Tune Contest
We are looking for original tune compositions that deliver an Irish flavor, pulse and style that is common in Irish traditional music. They can be any tune type, e.g., reel, jig, hornpipe, barndance, polka, slide, etc. To enter, send an MP3, before the deadline of October 17th, to info@oflahertyretreat.org. A review committee comprised of former instructors will serve as judges. The winner will be announced one evening at the retreat during an instructors concert and the winning MP3 posted on our website and Facebook group page.
Pun Contest
Our retreat director Ken Fleming is fond of puns, so it’s not surprising that he created a Pun Contest to provide him an ample supply of puns from which he can choose to deliver during segments in the instructor concerts when our sound crew readies the stage for each act. The puns must be suitable for all audiences and MUST BE FUNNY since Ken is not known for his comedic talents. To enter, send one or more puns to director@oflahertyretreat.org before or during the retreat. The winner will be announced and awarded special prize during the Sunday night concert.