WATERLOO - The rich pitch of a bagpipe played by Pete Purvis brought fans to their feet Friday as Celtic band Gaelic Storm took the stage at Iowa Irish Fest in Waterloo.

As the rest of the group members hopped into the spotlight, tones from the fiddle, accordion, guitar and bongos filled the air, with each addition earning a round of applause from the more than 1,000 spectators gathered in Lincoln Park.

Although fair food, Irish wares and live dance are all part of this year's festival, many of Friday's attendees said they made the trip downtown for one reason, and one reason only - the tunes.

"This is a treat," said Tina Bentley, a Shell Rock woman who attended the fest with her 15-month-old son, Jeremy. "I don't think we get enough of this kind of music around here."

But this weekend, there's no dearth of Celtic music in the Cedar Valley.

The second annual Iowa Irish Fest, which continues today and Sunday, features 13 bands on three stages.

Contemporary groups with a rock 'n roll flair, like Black 47, perform alongside traditional ensembles, such as Cherish the Ladies.

Many of Friday's fans sported green T shirts that proudly proclaimed their Irish ancestry.

Gaelic Storm guitarist Steve Twigger said he thinks the "heritage factor" has helped Celtic music gain popularity in the U.S.

The band's last album, "What's the Rumpus?" is currently No. 1 on the Billboard's world music charts.

"You've got a lot of people that can trace their roots back to the Celtic countries," Twigger said in a Thursday phone interview.

"It's sort of in our DNA - the sound of the pipes and the fiddle. It lets people connect with their past and have a good time."

Bruce Smith, a Scot from Colo, has played the bagpipes for the past 50 years. He performed in the fest's opening parade and stuck around to watch the evening's musical lineup.

"Celtic music is real music, you know," mused Smith. "You can feel it, and it's fun to listen to."

The retiree paused.

"And," he added with a smile. "It's good drinking music."

By Gaelic Storm's third number Friday, at least two fans were dancing along to the beat.

Many more clapped their hands as the group sang silly songs about unlikely love connections and a white-knuckled drive over the mountains of Colorado.

Barb Gericke, of Postville, laughed and clapped her hands during the concert's opening songs.

"Irish just have such a good time," she said. "And when you hear the music, no matter who you are, you feel a bit Irish yourself."

Contact Mary Stegmeir

at (319) 291-1482 or

mary.stegmeir@wcfcourier.com.