Bagpipes??

[macwilkin]

So, my local parade ("Irish Day") is boasting no-less than TWELVE pipe bands...the most in the state! My question: how did bagpipes/pipe bands, decidedly Scottish, become a staple in St. Patrick's Day parades? As my friend says, "St. Patrick's Day: an Irish holiday, made popular by drunk Americans, by listening to music played on Scottish instruments!"

Talk amongst yourselves.

I tend to believe it is the association of pipe bands with Police and Fire Departments, whose ranks were filled with Irish immigrants & Irish Americans.

T.