Emulating the days when Irish bagpipers would travel the countryside playing at parties for landowners, Leo Schott pumped the uilleann pipes with his elbow, the instrument emitting an upbeat rhythm that mimicked a fox hunt, giving the tune its name, "The Fox Chase."
Traditional Irish dancers from the Crossmolina School of Dance jigged and reeled across the floor, their costumes adorned with Celtic designs, their feet tapping along to the fiddle and pipe music playing over the speakers.
It was all part of the St. Patrick's Day Promenade in Carbondale on Sunday morning.
"We're here to remember those folks who came here with courage and hope," said S. Robert Powell, president of the Carbondale Historical Society.
The event started with Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church. Led by an Irish flag and a pounding bodhran, about 100 people walked to the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce building to join in the festivities, clapping to the music and munching on shamrock-shaped cookies.
City council President Kathleen Connor gave an Irish blessing and toasted all those who came out to celebrate.
"We hope to make it an annual event in the city of Carbondale," she said.
Joan Neary Scavo and Darlene Ferraro-Plock were moved and delighted with the performances and the show of support for the St. Patrick's Day event.
"I was absolutely elated to see it," Ms. Scavo said.
Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter