By Kate Bartlett
Next Saturday April 6th, marks the first annual Pipes & Ale Ceilidh fundraiser to benefit the 96th Highlanders Pipes & Drums of Jamestown, NY. The event will be held from 6-11pm at the Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. The evening is sure to be high energy with festive live music as well as performances by the Pipe Band.
Event coordinator Doug Clark is one of the original founders of the 96th Highlanders, and is current President and Business Manager for the group. “We decided to organize this event as a means of raising funds to purchase a much-needed trailer for the group. Our old trailer has become so rusted and broken down that the door literally broke off; we’re in great need of a new 25-foot trailer in order to store our equipment we use to put on the Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival every year in Mayville, NY.”
has grown steadily over the years. Now, the Pipes & Drums consists of 18 pipers,
6 snares, 3 tenors and 1 bass
The group was founded 20 years ago in Jamestown with just 3-4 pipers, and has grown steadily over the years. Now, the Pipes & Drums consists of 18 pipers, 6 snares, 3 tenors and 1 bass. Doug plays lead snare for the group, and has been playing since the age of 16.
The 96th Highlanders preforms for various events ranging from private parties, weddings, funerals, parades, festivals and much more spreading the Celtic World Culture to people across the southern tire of New York and northeastern Pennsylvania. The group frequently plays at various events and festivals within a 200-mile radius of Jamestown, including Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Bemus Point.
They also provide scholarships to local area graduates going to college to study music. These scholarships are managed by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and very year the group awards 2 scholarships.
The event will be held at the Chautauqua Suites with doors opening at 5:30pm. Ticket prices are $30 at the door, $25 advance and include beer, wine and food. Live music will be performed by Step in Time and Catch ‘N Release, with a pipe band concert at 8pm. “We invite everyone to bring their pipes and drums and join in the fun. We’ll open the concert up to everyone; it’s sure to be high energy and a great time for all.” A 50/50 and basket raffle will be held with a wide array of prizes.
“We’ve arranged a hotel accommodation package in order to help those traveling from a distance, and make it more convenient for anyone attending the event.” Enjoy the evening, stay the night with special room rates available for $89.99/night.
The group is currently seeking sponsors for the event. Anyone interested in supporting the fundraiser is asked to contact Doug directly at (716) 323-7360.