Set your GPS to Hartford, Connecticut on September 29. Follow the skirl of the pied pipers to the 11th annual "Pipes in the Valley" Celtic Music Festival on the banks of the scenic Connecticut River at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, downtown Hartford.
The spirit of the Highlands await you, along with top traditional and Celtic rock bands on two stages, bag pipe bands, Highland athletic games with the caber toss, step dancing, birds of prey, interactive kids activities including crafts, puppetry and storytelling, Celtic food and vendors, micro brews and so much more. Some 20,000 people are attracted to this event from Maine to N. Carolina, so "Haste Ye Back!"
The fun begins at 11am, with the massed pipe bands parading over the Founders Bridge at noon, and doesn't stop til 10.30pm when "Celtica" closes the show with an unforgettable performance of bagrock, fire and brimstone.
Earlier the Celtic fever is built up with the thunderous tribal pipes and drums of Scotland's "Albannach!" Check out the entire music schedule on www.pipesinthevalley.com including Ontario, Canada's all-sister band, Searson; Northampton's Dicey Riley; and three Irish bands all hailing from Connecticut, The Mighty Ploughboys, The Jolly Beggars and The Rising.
This year "Pipes in the Valley" is participating in the inaugural Hartford area cultural festival of Envisionfest Hartford also taking place in downtown venues with a variety of free entertainment from Bushnell Park to the Riverfront.
For more information about top events in Connecticut take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Connecticut.