How do you gauge an event exceeding your expectations? Having every chair full and then some is one sure sign.

Throughout the day, pipe band manager Susan Flowers estimates over 300 people dropped by at the Celtic Connection hosted by the Cochrane Pipe Band at the Cochrane Lions Events Centre, Sept. 29.

“We lost count,” says Flowers, “but it seems to me there were over 300 people coming and going throughout the day.”

“I think the location was awesome. It was such a busy town on Saturday with so many people coming and going that people just stopped in.”

With the opening performance of the Cochrane Pipe Band about to begin shortly after 11 a.m., a surge of people arrived. They were treated to two fine sets of the pipe band, performances by young and budding Highland dancers as well as traditional Scottish Folk Dancing.

Scottish merchandise, art and fabric were offered by specialized vendors. The pipe band had a small display explaining some of the fundamentals of bagpipes and snarls. Also proudly displayed was the heritage of the Clan MacNicol.

Available were samples of Scotland’s national dish—haggis.

“We ran out of haggis. I was surprised," Flowers chuckles. "We used every last bite of it and ran out around 3 p.m.”

Another aim of the day was to encourage young people to take up the piping and drumming. Flowers says young people tend to develop the necessary technique quickly.

“We didn’t get too many takers but there were a couple of families that were interested for their kids.”

There is a youthful element to the pipe band: 13-year-old Cade Legg, who has quickly developed his skills.

This young man isn’t of Scottish descent but that’s not prerequisite of enjoying bagpipes, says Flowers.

“Anybody is welcome. It tends to attract more people that are Scottish, but anybody can learn. My Scottish heritage is a little distant, it’s on my mother’s side of the family, but it’s just fun to celebrate to learn about it.”

Help is available for those interested in learning.

“You don’t actually join the band right away but there’s a couple of us who will volunteer to help them get started and we could find them a good instructor. Once they learn about five tunes they could consider joining the band.”

The Cochrane Pipe Band holds weekly Saturday practices, normally at the Cochrane RancheHouse. They participate in parades and at special events. Next up for them is the Remembrance Day ceremony.

Celtic Connection was made possible by a Culture Days grant from Alberta Culture and Tourism.

“It was really nice not to have to charge people to come in and to have it as a free event.”

Whether the band will consider holding a similar event next year has not been discussed.

To learn more about the Cochrane Pipe Band visit www.cochranepipeband.ca.