St. Patrick's day parades

se conman

It might be a bit early but are any clubs/sites/shops/teams planning on having a float in any parades this year.
This could be used to promote airsoft in Ireland but would of course need to be cleared with parade organizers and the local garda.
The sport could be promoted in several ways without actually having AEG's on the float.You could have banners and people in camo handing out flyers and info packs.There ars lots of ways to use this for the good of our sport.

Lemming

Personally speaking, I don't think this country is ready for airsoft floats. I really don't. Part of our problem(s) in the past have been down to the game growing faster than it could perhaps cope out of its infancy (which we are still in really) in a variety of ways. I think that airsoft floats in a parade would get the community in the papers (again) for all the wrong reasons which is a crying shame given the sterling work achieved in the last while with some journalists & their media outlets.

This is all "in my opinion".

se conman

I feel that this could be a way to get to a larger public and show/educate them that we are just ordinary people who just happen to have chosen airsoft as our prefered sport.With salute or open days , we only get to preach to people who are already partially informed about airsoft but with this we we could get to new players and parents of younger new players and show them the true face of airsoft in Ireland.Meeting players in the flesh as they walk along beside their float handing out information and having a quick chat could do more good than any newspaper report or information gleened from the web or forums.It would not take much work to show the personal good humored side of our sport to a huge captive audience.
Again this is just my opinion.

deepimpact

In a way, I agree with you OP, but I'm more in agreement with Lemming on this issue.

I'd prefer more subtle ways of influencing public opinion, like the charity days.

We need to tread very carefully, as Lemming pointed out we are still a new sport, because of the reactionary nature of some people when items of a nature such as airsoft is mentioned, and the sensational elements of the media.

Consider the following:
Reaction -> Sensational story -> Another Liveline spectacular -> Hassle for the IAA and the community.

Going full blown into an airsoft float at a St. Patrick's Day parade would be far into the future.

se conman

I do see where ye are coming from and do not mean to suggest a huge crowd of people on a float complete with AEG's and masks as this would do our sport NO good but a more subtle aproche i.e. no AEG's and faces fully visible smiling handing out flyers and sweets , maybe a few water pistols could be something that could work.I do agree that there is a very fine line between shying back because the public is not ready , and missing a possible opertunity to do some good for our sport.I feel that it is worth the gamble to be proactive and go out there and create our own good publicity rather than wait and react when we recive bad publicity.This is NOT a dig at IAA as I think that they do and have done great work for our sport.This is only my opinion and the purpose of this thread is to get feedback and other peoples opinions.There are limited places that we can advertise our sport ,salute , Duncannon , and I think that the more the public sees us the sooner they become used to and accustomed to us , thus accepting us as a sport.

Inari

Any publicity for any niche activity has to be carefully considered, not based on the good it can do, but rather the bad things it can achieve. There's much to consider...even by choice of camo you could be seen to endorse certain ideals.

We come from quite a militant background (Ireland) so the people have different reactions to it. I'd say Lemming siad it best...Airsoft is too young in Ireland, and needs to mature with enough of a community to guide the new-guns (couldn't resist the pun), that way it can deal with the influx.

PS: I've seen it before with other activities...large influx = dilution of values/ethics, and big problems with public perception due to this dilution

se conman

Having been at the IAA AGM and hearing that "airsoft is here to stay" and so , legally safe , I feel that we are , maybe ,too afraid of bad publicity to try and make some good publicity.I do not mean this from an IAA point of view , but from an every player in the country point of view.

Witcher

se conman wrote: »

Having been at the IAA AGM and hearing that "airsoft is here to stay" and so , legally safe , I feel that we are , maybe ,too afraid of bad publicity to try and make some good publicity.

Consider the source tbh, if that politician had enough constituents bending his ear about the evil of airsoft and his votes were threatened he'd knife airsoft in the back without blinking an eye..care always has to be taken with a fringe sport, look at shooting, well established but still on a knife edge.

I can understand what you mean about it being a laid back affair with no guns or anything, but the people who will see it and still have a problem will be the ones who will be shouting louder about it on Liveline etc.

gerrowadat

se conman wrote: »

Having been at the IAA AGM and hearing that "airsoft is here to stay" and so , legally safe , I feel that we are , maybe ,too afraid of bad publicity to try and make some good publicity.I do not mean this from an IAA point of view , but from an every player in the country point of view.

We're forgetting, however, that aside from any ability to eloquently speak on behalf of our sport 1:1, most airsofters in Ireland are dangerous-looking headbangers.

It's about first impressions, and most of the time you're going to speak to maybe 100 of the thousands of people at a parade on the day. The rest just have what you look like to go by.

Inari

To expand on what Gerrowadat was saying, this is why you see models on tops of floats publicising products/sports/clubs and cutesy children etc...because it's less offensive and gains support.

se conman

Are you saying I'm too ugly to be on a float? LOL

Rogue-Trooper

se conman wrote: »

Are you saying I'm too ugly to be on a float? LOL

Leftyflip

Rogue, I'm convinced that all you're on here for is to post silly pictures:P

Rogue-Trooper

Leftyflip wrote: »

Rogue, I'm convinced that all you're on here for is to post silly pictures:P

Back on topic though, OP I think this is a really bad idea. Airsoft is all about the guns - what's the point in putting an airsoft float in a parade with water pistols? It stops being an airsoft float at that point and becomes a water pistol float so that kills that idea.
In 2007, airsoft had a 'presence' at the Toys For Big Boys Show in the RDS. You'd think it would have gone down really well in that setting but it didn't. So much so that it was banned the following year from the show and only made an appearance last year but was heavily restricted. There is a very good reason that our only public outings are at the likes of Duncannon & Salute. How do you think it will be perceived at the biggest annual family event in the country? Joe public is not ready for a truck load of mad looking fcukers with guns on O'Connell Street - we'd never hear the end of it and HRH Joe Duffy would only be the tip of the iceberg!

se conman

I was unaware that the only parade was in Dublin.

Firekitten

As far as ideas go... this is on a par with; 'Chocolate Fireguard', 'waterproof teabag' and 'the X factor'.... Darwin will naturally suceed. Mark my words.

Blazer

Bad idea I think...better off having a charity day or something and invite media and a politician along..they'd love it for the positive exposure etc..
Would be no harm to reassure them we'll all normal people who enjoy a good harmless sport etc..

Leftyflip

Berkut wrote: »

Bad idea I think...better off having a charity day or something and invite media and a politician along..they'd love it for the positive exposure etc..
Would be no harm to reassure them we'll all normal people who enjoy a good harmless sport etc..

I'm not...

Rogue-Trooper

se conman wrote: »

I was unaware that the only parade was in Dublin.

I was using O'Connell Street as an example. I am well aware of the extent of the St. Patrick's Day festivities, countrywide and globally, having worked with the festival in a professsional capacity over the last 12 years.

se conman wrote: »

There are limited places that we can advertise our sport ,salute , Duncannon , and I think that the more the public sees us the sooner they become used to and accustomed to us , thus accepting us as a sport.

There are limited places to advertise our sport because it has a limited appeal. This is not soccer. We run around with very realistic guns dressed in what is percieved by some (most?) as very intimidating attire.

'The public' don't need to 'accept' airsoft as a sport. It already is a sport in this country according to the Federation Of Irish Sports.

OP, if you are really enthusiastic about participating in your lacal parade I would suggest joining a marching band. Have you ever heard a Joe Duffy special on marching bands scaring people and corrupting our youth?!!

di11on

Unfortunately I have to agree that this is a bad idea. Imagine, a float full of guys in camo. From 50 meters, the airsoft "float" would be indistinguishable from a paramilitary parade.

The long and short of it is that airsofters play at war (emphasis on play) and many people don't like that, for whatever reason.

iceage

I remember a Paddy's day parade in Clonmel a few years back where a Paintball site took part. Guys were dressed head to toe in Brit DPM, 58 webbing and carrying markers( Licenced firearms) handing out flyers and followed by a black Landy 110. Caused major interest from joe public but not the bad type. They were asked about the site, the kit, who can play etc. I have a pic of one of them somewhere, I'll try to dig it up.

Now the biggy of course is the visual differance between a paintball marker, and an AEG... Its all about perception really isn't it.

Gatling

absolutely no way
seriously anyone planning approaching parade organisers around the country
dont ,
Think for a min people parading down o connell st in full battle dress and carrying aegs and gbbs add a tricolor or two and watch how certain politcal groups( we all know which ones) using the pictures for proaganda and yes i can hear the ahh that wont happen just being paronoid ,explain to the doj why somegob****e turned up in black camo balaclava and carrying an ak aeg because its his load out,

Theres promoting the sport the right way and then there the wrong way

using parades to promote clubs or sites is just wrong

Duncannon and salute are totaly different there organised military shows and there something were proud to be part of ,
ask why none of the military groups take part in parades

horgan_p

Gatling wrote: »

Duncannon and salute are totaly different there organised military shows and there something were proud to be part of ,
ask why none of the military groups take part in parades

and from what i hear , duncannon will be undergoing serious changes this year with regard to publically viewable RIFs.

Rhinocharge

Gatling wrote: »

ask why none of the military groups take part in parades

It's all down to our Countries turbulent history boys n' girls. The pain of the past is still too close for the comforts of the general public.

se conman

I put this out as a suggestion and , clearly , everyone thinks that it is a bad suggestion and most gave good reasons for their opinions.I have no problem with being wrong but why do we always have some posters who feel the need to talk down rather than give reasons for their opinions.

senordingdong

Really think this is the last thing that Airsoft needs.

Even if there was overwhelming evidence to suggest that the feedback would be positive, I still think that a bunch of toy soldier parading their replica guns is a disasterous idea.

Rooky1

OP it was a good suggestion! The country and General Public are just not ready for an Airsoft in your face parade unfortunately.

OzCam

Seriously, guys, we've a million other things to do than setting airsoft back three years. At least.

evilrobotshane

Gay-Pride Parade Sets Mainstream Acceptance Of Gays Back 50 Years

TheDoc

Firekitten wrote: »

As far as ideas go... this is on a par with; 'Chocolate Fireguard', 'waterproof teabag' and 'the X factor'.... Darwin will naturally suceed. Mark my words.

haha, I wouldn't slate the op, he is trying and it was a decent suggestion.

I do think the time will come when spotlight on the sport will be positive and we wont be afraid to go and show our stuff. But we need to take baby steps.

A niche " nerdy" sport or whatever you want to call it, doesn't feature on sky sports and get advertisement on the telly.

When was the last time you say on the telly

" Always wanted to strike your boss down with a furious lightning bolt, packed with hatred for that unpaid overtime, try live larping!"

I think we are doing fine for now, we dont need anymore players, its hard enough as it is getting the current crowd to follow the rules 100% of the time, so another mass influx like last year would make things only worse imo.

Shiva

TheDoc wrote: »

I think we are doing fine for now, we dont need anymore players, its hard enough as it is getting the current crowd to follow the rules 100% of the time, so another mass influx like last year would make things only worse imo.

Huh ? Sorry Doc, but thats bollocks.

There arent enough players in this country to support 4 or 5 retailers, never mind the 15 or so that exist now.

mgsguru

Shiva wrote: »

Huh ? Sorry Doc, but thats bollocks.

There arent enough players in this country to support 4 or 5 retailers, never mind the 15 or so that exist now.

True. Any of the shops iv been in lately have barely been keeping their doors open. Simply due to the fact that there are not enough new airsofters. Any of the guys who have been into airsoft for a while have built up their collection and all they go to the shops for is bb's. Which would be like everybody only going into tesco to buy tic tacs. Airsoft as a whole needs a new influx of players to simply survive.

the whole paddys day parade idea is a good idea but im not sure if people are ready for it just yet. In saying that though there would be certain ways of doing it. Subtle little ways.

for instance if you managed to get in right behind the army.

but if you do go for it i would like to suggest that:
1. Only 2 or 3 people go in full gear.
2. Have a few of the younger airsofters as a part of the float to show that its not exclusively for adults
3. have a few guys in camo jacket and trousers, no airsoft guns or gear. To hand out flyers and sweets or whatever.
4. A good few people just wearing a tac vest or a camo jacket over their everyday clothes.
5. Some to carry low end plasticy guns and some to carry high end full metal realistic looking guns.
6. Everybodys face should be visable no masks, balaclavas or goggles.
7. No bb's in the guns.
8. No batteries or gas in the guns.
9. always keep the gun pointed at the ground.
10. Get garda permission before even plannins to go in the parade.


im not completely for or against the idea but it needs a lot of carefull thought and planning.
There is no real way of telling how people will react untill you get out and do it.

also just one more suggestion. If you carried a banner advertising a charity skirmish it certainly wouldn't hurt your chances of acceptance with the crowds.

TheDoc

Shiva wrote: »

Huh ? Sorry Doc, but thats bollocks.

There arent enough players in this country to support 4 or 5 retailers, never mind the 15 or so that exist now.

From a playing point of view, I dont think we do.

Most sites im playing are getting 30+ through their doors every game day.

And I think the amount of retailers is mainly down to people thinking they can make a quick buck, and not doing proper market research, because if they did theyd know there is absolutely, not enough to go around.

Industries expand to meet demand, not willy nilly.

I wouldnt say we should be grasping more players to help feed an over populated retailing section. This is just common sense though, industry and people getting in, is fed by their research. Clearly not done on most accounts. And simply what will happen this year is we will see alot of retailers slowly fade away. But everyone already knows this.

I guess I just shudder sometimes thinking of the numbers say doubling on skirmish days, which would make it cool on one hand being bigger games, but sound like a logistical nightmare and a bit of a stifeler,

I'd say more realisticly we will continue to see new players come in, but nothing like what we did last year where the numbers sky rocketed.

Shiva

TheDoc wrote: »

From a playing point of view, I dont think we do.

Your point of view doesn't matter, you're still wrong

TheDoc wrote: »

And I think the amount of retailers is mainly down to people thinking they can make a quick buck, and not doing proper market research, because if they did theyd know there is absolutely, not enough to go around.

Agreed.

TheDoc wrote: »

I guess I just shudder sometimes thinking of the numbers say doubling on skirmish days, which would make it cool on one hand being bigger games, but sound like a logistical nightmare and a bit of a stifeler,

I'd say more realisticly we will continue to see new players come in, but nothing like what we did last year where the numbers sky rocketed.

I agree that there are retailers out there who jumped on the bandwagon
without any proper market research, but saying the player base shouldnt
expand to feed the commercial sector is just naive frankly - the
relationship between retailer and skirmisher is symbiotic.

Retailers need lots of skirmishers and a growing sport in order to survive
and grow themselves, and skirmishers (especially with an import ban on the
way) need a vibrant and diverse commercial sector in order to supply them, and help their numbers grow.

If there werent a good selection of retailers last year, the sport wouldnt
have grown anywhere near as quickly....only a percentage of new players
would have gone to the trouble to import their own equipment. And if it
hadnt grown so quickly, there wouldn't be so many retailers and sites. Any
over-population of commercial interests will balance out in time through
market forces.

But if we dont have a strong and steady influx of new players, the people
who give up and leave the sport, for whatever reason, will outnumber the
new players coming onboard, so the number of retailers and sites will
decline, and the sport will die, or at the very least, stagnate.

Saying we have enough players smacks of elitism, to be honest. I shudder
when I hear **** like that, because I've noticed that the old adage about
veteran players welcoming new players with open arms and being keen to show them their kit just isn't as true anymore - theres a small but growing minority of asshats who think they're God's gift to airsoft, and resent new
blood coming into the sport as inferior beings.

And if they dont outright resent them, they have a condescending and superior atitude. We're still a new and growing sport in the grand scheme of things, and these kinds of growing pains are probably unavoidable, but as experienced players we should be doing our best to minimise them, not encourage them with that kind of closed-minded attitude.

Go stand in the corner of the safe zone for an hour.

TheDoc

I have to say, I re-read back over my posts, and consider it a red bull fuelled verbal diohrea.

Its actually stupidly obvious that industries and sports only grow with new players and participants, apologies for being a dope, genuinely dont know what I was thinking, if only we havnt had a debate in ages

SNAKEDOC

i think a float done out wit banners and such no Aeg's in sight but other parafinallia such as pictures, bottles of bb's, camo netting, masks, maybe a guy in a guillie suit acting the clown on the float. (He could start crawling around doing roles and hiding and throwing sweets for the children.) and one or two good looking girls in camo giving out free site entrance vouchers or special deal offers would go down a treat for the crowd. done right this could be a very popular float if you have the right people to work the crowd.

fayer

SNAKEDOC wrote: »

i think a float done out wit banners and such no Aeg's in sight but other parafinallia such as pictures, bottles of bb's, camo netting, masks, maybe a guy in a guillie suit acting the clown on the float. (He could start crawling around doing roles and hiding and throwing sweets for the children.) and one or two good looking girls in camo giving out free site entrance vouchers or special deal offers would go down a treat for the crowd. done right this could be a very popular float if you have the right people to work the crowd.

I just cant see it working for Airsoft....

Community education, promotion and information is key to the development of the sport, I fully agree, however we have learnt many times, the hard way that is has to be pitched in the right context and to the right audience.

Fireborn

A parade float is totally the wrong way to promote airsoft. 100% wrong.

J.D.R

I personally think it would be cool to see a local airsoft contingent go down the mainstreet of my town (Newbridge) but like others said, definitely not the TELEVISED(!!!!!) Dublin one. Too many biased opinions with loud voices and free time (Talk to joe on 1850-715815 on the promotion of violence being shown at a national celebration).

But as far as local parades go, I wouldn't say it's an atrociously bad idea. I know when I was younger crammed up to the barriers at the edgfe of the parade, Me and everyone else I know would love seeing the Defence forces represented with the tanks and the Steyrs and full camo. It just looked damn cool.

So, personally, I would love to see Newbridge have an Airsoft section at the paddy's day parade, but I would differ on previous suggestions. Not a bit of everything, some in full gear, some in just vests, I would say go all out in camo, with the AEG's and all the bits, and MUST have safety goggles. No masks, but must have safety goggles. If the town already has an airsofting base, eg a shop or a site, I say it would fit in well, and may seem odder to leave it out

Here endeth the rant

zero86r

It's never gonna happen, no matter what eye protection you have, a parade of dudes in camo carrying guns looks extremely dodgy.

Leftyflip

J.D.R wrote: »

I personally think it would be cool to see a local airsoft contingent go down the mainstreet of my town (Newbridge) but like others said, definitely not the TELEVISED(!!!!!) Dublin one. Too many biased opinions with loud voices and free time (Talk to joe on 1850-715815 on the promotion of violence being shown at a national celebration).

But as far as local parades go, I wouldn't say it's an atrociously bad idea. I know when I was younger crammed up to the barriers at the edgfe of the parade, Me and everyone else I know would love seeing the Defence forces represented with the tanks and the Steyrs and full camo. It just looked damn cool.

So, personally, I would love to see Newbridge have an Airsoft section at the paddy's day parade, but I would differ on previous suggestions. Not a bit of everything, some in full gear, some in just vests, I would say go all out in camo, with the AEG's and all the bits, and MUST have safety goggles. No masks, but must have safety goggles. If the town already has an airsofting base, eg a shop or a site, I say it would fit in well, and may seem odder to leave it out

Here endeth the rant

Defence forces are an accepted part of life, people running around in camo with replica guns shooting at each other is still frowned upon by a lot of people, it's a bad idea, end of.

Stercus Accidit

Guys in camo look like a militia full stop.

Puding

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

Guys in camo look like a militia full stop.

was about to say almost exactly the same thing, you beat me to it

guys in camo just look dodgy full stop

J.D.R

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

Guys in camo look like a militia full stop.

I never said it didn't look dodgy, all I said was that it looked cool, and in some parts of this country, it would be OK

Leftyflip

No, it is only ok, on airsoft sites.

thermo

J.D.R wrote: »

I personally think it would be cool to see a local airsoft contingent go down the mainstreet of my town (Newbridge) but like others said, definitely not the TELEVISED(!!!!!) Dublin one. Too many biased opinions with loud voices and free time (Talk to joe on 1850-715815 on the promotion of violence being shown at a national celebration).

But as far as local parades go, I wouldn't say it's an atrociously bad idea. I know when I was younger crammed up to the barriers at the edgfe of the parade, Me and everyone else I know would love seeing the Defence forces represented with the tanks and the Steyrs and full camo. It just looked damn cool.

So, personally, I would love to see Newbridge have an Airsoft section at the paddy's day parade, but I would differ on previous suggestions. Not a bit of everything, some in full gear, some in just vests, I would say go all out in camo, with the AEG's and all the bits, and MUST have safety goggles. No masks, but must have safety goggles. If the town already has an airsofting base, eg a shop or a site, I say it would fit in well, and may seem odder to leave it out

Here endeth the rant

the military vehicles club will be newbridge this year with re-enactors marching behind! airsofters after the would not be that much of a stretch,,,,,,,,

defenderdude

Airsoft and parades - NO!

NO

NEVER

and NO.


JHC, is it just me or is this not just insane to even suggest....

NO.

edit-
re-enactors/or as part there-of - fine, but a bunch of airsofters just "showing their sport" NO

Stercus Accidit

Problem is while it is publicity its not targeted at all.

Airsofters = Gamers, militaria enthusiasts, army dudes, blokey guys from teens to fogeys and some girls with similar interests too.

Parade = Mammies, joe duffy listeners, kids, etc.


Its just the wrong exposure to the wrong market, you want gaming conventions, militaria shows, internet forums, colleges and so on.

J.D.R

thermo wrote: »

the military vehicles club will be newbridge this year with re-enactors marching behind! airsofters after the would not be that much of a stretch,,,,,,,,

Can't wait, but I would still love to see an ACS banner aswell

fayer

J.D.R wrote: »

I never said it didn't look dodgy, all I said was that it looked cool, and in some parts of this country, it would be OK

Here is some past media and political attention of Airsoft after the public comes across it, alot of people aren't around long enough to know about this.

Given the current status, IE we are currently not drawing any attention politically and are still in the process of solidifying our position through the implementation of the CJA 2009, the sport should keep its head down unless we are controlling the editorial context of the press.

http://irishairsoft.ie/?p=87

http://irishairsoft.ie/?p=86

http://irishairsoft.ie/?p=27 LOL's

http://irishairsoft.ie/?p=106

fayer

defenderdude wrote: »

Airsoft and parades - NO!

NO

NEVER

and NO.


JHC, is it just me or is this not just insane to even suggest....

NO.

edit-
re-enactors/or as part there-of - fine, but a bunch of airsofters just "showing their sport" NO

This is the man that got "Joe" himself to try an Airsoft gun, he knows what he's talking about!