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MIFFLINTOWN - Armed with a bagpipe almost as big as he is, 10-year-old Ethan Fowler is a familiar face in Juniata County parades and special events.

The McAlisterville boy told the Rotary Club of Mifflintown on Thursday that he began playing two years ago after researching highland dancing on the Internet.

The young musician already has created a reputation for himself throughout the community. His father, the Rev. Graham Fowler, said people know him as the bagpiper's father. Along with the local performances, Ethan also plays with a band in Annville.

Two years ago when Ethan expressed interest in learning the bagpipes, the pastor said his wife talked him into getting their son a set. However, Ethan's first instrument was old and did not work well, he said.

"He struggled to get them to work," Fowler said. "He was really determined to make them work one way or another."

Because Ethan was so persistent in learning the bagpipes, Fowler and his wife decided to purchase a better set. Graham Fowler's father and Ethan's grandfather, who also plays the bagpipes, sent the boy workbooks and music.

After Ethan received the new instrument, "we saw the joy on his face to play without struggling," Fowler said.

Before playing for the club, Ethan explained that players must first fill the instrument's bag with air. That air is slowly released, making the drones play the low continuous undertone, he said. When enough pressure is in the bag, the player can start the tune, he said.

"The first time I saw bagpipes, I looked at them and thought, 'How can you keep the air in with the hole in the bag?'" Ethan said.

Later he said he learned that the hole was in the bag's cover, not the bag itself.

Dressed in traditional Scottish garb, the young musician explained the elements of his costume. The traditional bagpiper's shoes are ghillie broques, but Ethan said he wears regular shoes because ghillie broques are hard to find. The plaid knee socks include garters and a small dagger, or sqian dubh, on the right side, he said.

Ethan's red and black plaid kilt is a royal steward tartan, he said. Worn in front of the kilt is a pouch, or sporran, usually made of horsehair, he said, adding kilts traditionally do not have pockets. The sporran was used to carry any needed items.

The belt includes a large buckle displaying the numbers "42," which identify his regiment, he said. The black hat, or glengarrie, is Scottish military style headwear, and pinned on his hat is a badge of St. Andrew holding a cross.

Between his explanations, Ethan played a variety of songs for the club including "Itchy Fingers," "Sadie's Scissors," "Highland Cathedral," "Amazing Grace" and a patriotic melody.

Ethan recently completed fourth grade at Fayette Elementary School.