Achi news desk-
They were inspired by the Scottish work horses that used to pull canal boats along canals and worked in fields in the area where the statues stand.
The Kelpies were commissioned by Scottish Canals who organized the Kelpies 10 event together with Falkirk Council.
Clydesdale Horse demonstrations, performances by several pipe bands and family activities were among the events held at the statues on Saturday to mark the anniversary.
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The Kelpies are based in Helix Park which is located between Falkirk and Grangemouth.
The day ended with the first night concert to be held on site, with Scottish singer-songwriter Callum Beattie, musician, DJ and producer Rebecca Vasmant with her Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble, and the pipe band Red Hot Chilli Pipers, who performed a set of their “Bagrock”, a combination of traditional Scottish Music and rock/pop anthems.
Evening celebrations also included a screening of Walid Salhab’s The Kelpies, a short birthday film, and a firework display by Pyroceltica.
Scottish Canals chief executive John Paterson said: “Scottish Canals had a vision to create a piece of art at the eastern gateway to Scotland’s historic Forth & Clyde Canal.
“The Kelpies pay homage to the Scottish workhorses that used to pull barges along the Scottish canals and worked in fields in the area where they currently stand. Now almost a decade later and these magnificent works of art are global waterway icons that attract thousands of visitors to Scotland each year.
“The Kelpies 10 event has been a fantastic celebration of 10 years of the magnificent Kelpies, and we were delighted that so many visitors were able to enjoy the many family-friendly events throughout the day, ending with the first ever live concert at the Centre. Kelpies tonight, with some truly impressive performances.
“We look forward to the next 10 years as we continue to make lives better by the water.”
Organizers said more than 10,000 visitors gathered at the Kelpies 10 event on Saturday.
Falkirk Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: “Since they were originally built, The Kelpies have brought millions of visitors from Scotland, the UK and around the world to see these iconic structures that feature so prominently on our local landscape.
“The Kelpies 10 event has been a great way to celebrate their presence and ensure that the interest they create continues for decades to come.”
