Music, crafts and Irish dancers will be on the scene in Tullahoma next weekend for the fifth annual Piping on the Green Celtic Music and Craft Fair.
The event takes place Saturday, April 8 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine, at The Celtic Cup Coffee House located at 106 N. Anderson Street in Tullahoma. Opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m.
“It just gets better each year,” said Highland Rim Scottish Society member Desireé Porter.
Piping on the Green celebrates National Tartan Day (April 6), the date in 1320 in which the Declaration of Arbroath (Scottish Declaration of Independence) was signed.
Highland Rim Scottish Society members wanted a special event that centered on the music and crafts of the Celtic people, the Scots, and Irish who settled the area and brought with them the traditional sounds of pipes, fiddles and whistles.
“We wanted to create an event that would bring the music to the forefront,” said Scottish Society member René Cavett.
Piping on the Green started with a small group of artisans and crafters. Highland and Irish dancers, talented Celtic musicians, a handful of local volunteers and one bagpiper. Each year there have been additions of more vendors, workshops and expanded entertainment.
The 2017 lineup include The A Capella Singers, The Secret Commonwealth, The Get Reels, Black Market Haggis and the headliner, Scotland Rising. There will also be a plethora of pipers, dancers and vendors.
In addition to the top-notch entertainment, there will be Highland and Irish dancers, craft demonstrations and educational workshops in areas such as genealogy, Celtic knots and play the bodhrán. Don’t know what a bodhrán is? Come to Piping on the Green and find out.
Chris and Denise Smith, owners of The Celtic Cup Coffee House, have graciously provided the “Green” on which the event takes place since its inception. “We enjoy hosting Piping on the Green each year. People come out to celebrate great music and arts. They really have fun and this is a fantastic community and family event,” said Smith.
For additional information, visit the fifth annual Piping on the Green Facebook page.