r e v i R w a J e s o o M S r u o T e r u t n e v & Ad Moose Jaw has Always been “The Band City”
Whether you prefer to think of Moose Jaw as “Canada’s Most Notorious City,” “Little Chicago,” or as “The Friendly City,” there is no doubt that this has always been “The Band City.” The city earned that moniker many years ago. That is, in part, because of the long-running Band and Choral Festival, which celebrated its 70th year in 2019. For years, the festival drew bands from all over and would include a large parade down Main Street.
side of the Co-op building on Athabasca Street West. In recent years, the festival has shifted its focus and is no longer competitive in nature. Instead, groups work with clinicians who help student musicians develop and hone their skills. Choirs • Mountain Bike Instruction & across Rentals and bands from the prairie provinces attend • Canoe & Kayak Trips & Rentals the festival every year. As a result, every • Birthday Parties, Staff Parties In fact, 20,000 people came out year the city is filled with excited to watch•the 1982 edition of the youngsters Group and Family Outing and tour buses. parade, which featured 87 differThis year, due to the COVID-19 ent bands. pandemic, the festival was canThe city itself was once home toRENTALS celled. Fortunately, the plan is many of its own bands, includ7 DAYS A INand Choral Festival forWEEK the Band ing the White Hackle Band, the to return May 17, 2021. WAKAMOW Sprigs o’ Heather Girls’ Pipe While 12-8PM the parades are no more, JUNE TO SEPT. Band, and the Moose Jaw Lions the festival lives on, and so too Band. The Sprigs o’ Heather does the city’s identity as “The group is honoured in the mural Band City.” “March to the Pipes Forever.” The mural, painted by the late Gus Froese, can be found on the
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