A&E

To Comment on this article Click Here

For the first time in about five years, it was perfect weather for the Massed Bands event Saturday in Victoria Park.

About 3,000 to 4,000 people filled the park to capacity to enjoy hot dogs, corn on the cob and some great music. 

Later, about 10,000 people filled downtown Kincardine as the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band and several other bands, marched down Queen Street to Quinn Plaza and back to the park for more music.

The Kincardine Community Concert Band kicked off the afternoon concert, followed by the Toronto All-Star Band which has been a favourite at the Massed Bands for 17 years, and plans to return next year.

Scotty Woods of the Toronto band said its founder and musical director, Zygmunt, began with an all-accordion band because he taught accordion. A few years later, when that instrument went out of fashion, Zygmunt brought in 12 synthesizers to create the big band sound. That led to the band as it is today.

Woods said that eight weeks ago, the band lost its trumpet and trombone sections because the players were going away on vacation. However, the shadow band has done well to create the same sound under its magnificent conductor, Jesse Whiteley.

One featured player, PJ Andersson of Sweden, on trombone, is in Canada to attend Humber College.

Also on the roster were the Orillia Pipe Band, Kincardine Strathspey and Reel Society, Penetangore Pipe Band, the Fiddle Orchestra and the Teeswater Pipe Band.

Norm Annetts of the organizing committee said all 4,200 hot dogs were sold, along with 4,000 cobs of corn.

"It was the best weather we've had in awhile," he said, "and there were about 200 pipers and drummers marching down the main street amid a huge crowd. It was hugely successful this year."

A couple of the regular bands were unable to attend, said Annetts. The Thorold Pipe Band's drum major is ill, and the Owen Sound Pipe Band could not make it.

Also absent was Earl Demerling of Listowel who passed away a week ago. He was a staunch supporter of the Massed Bands and could be seen in his kilt serving corn on the cob.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Jean Fredette and Mike Ezekiel and their families, of Kincardine, were hard at work, cooking all the cobs of corn. This is the ninth year they have donated their time and cooking equipment for the event.

Proceeds from the Massed Bands go toward outfitting new members of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band. So far, there are four new uniforms required. The band is always looking for new members. If you are interested, check it out at www.kspb.ca.

Ian MacDonald (L), Glenn Walpole and Bob Cunningham help husk the corn. Ian has been helping out for the past 11 years

Donovan Locke sings with the Toronto All-Star Band

Kenzie (L), 7, and Bennett Ford, 5, of Kincardine enjoy the music. Their mother, Cheryl Diffin, plays in the Kincardine Community Concert Band

Tyson Taylor (L) and Rob Catto get the hot dogs ready to serve

Chase MacArthur, 2, of Kincardine plays his own drum at the Massed Bands march

^{for world news, books, sports, movies ...}

Monday, August 30, 2010