Maitland Town Hall will turn tartan this Saturday for the annual Maitland Tattoo.
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The entertainment extravaganza organised by the City of Maitland Pipe and Drum Band will have plenty for the whole family to enjoy across the night.
Inspired by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, the Maitland event will involve music, dancing, traditional tartan dress and supper.
"It's not just all bag-piping," City of Maitland Pipes and Drums secretary Greg Queenan said.
"We've said this year is the year of the dance.
"There will be Highland dancers, Irish dancers and Indian Dancers.
"Of course there will be pipe bands. We'll also have Celtic fiddlers and our own brass band.
"It's a very diverse program."
The diverse program has indeed appealed to a wide audience already. Mr Queenan said more than 200 tickets had been sold already and some people were even travelling from Sydney for the event after attending last year.
"It's always a sell-out," he said.
Last year we announced we were not going to have it this year. But we were told very firmly [by the audience] that we would be.
- Greg Queenan
"Last year we announced we were not going to have it this year. But we were told very firmly [by the audience] that we would be."
The event first started in 1997 - the 50th anniversary year of the Pipe and Drum Band. It was held a few times in the following few years but has been an annual event for the past eight years.
Mr Queenan said the event was the only one of its kind in the local area and believed the appeal was the high quality of the entertainment on offer.
"Normally the audience doesn't want to leave!" he said.
And it's not just those with strong ties to Celtic culture who attend.
"There was more of an element of that when it first started," Mr Queenan said.
"Now it's become a bit more diversified."
Tickets to the event are available online at www.maitlandpipeband.org.au.
The cost for adults is $45 and $15 for children aged under 16, which includes a light supper provided by the CWA.
The event starts at 6pm sharp and will wrap up at about 10.30pm.
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
