Thousands fill Victoria Park, Kincardine, for 35th annual Massed Band event

By: Liz Dadson August 30, 2026 258

Thousands fill Victoria Park, Kincardine, for 35th annual Massed Band event

A crowd of thousands filled Victoria Park, Kincardine, for the 35th annual Massed Band event, Saturday afternoon.

It was overcast with a cool breeze and the threat of rain, but it held off so people could enjoy a wonderful afternoon of music in the park.

"We had another successful event,” said John McManus, president of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band which hosts the event as a thank-you to the community for its ongoing, unwavering support. “Our community is the best, and this is a great opportunity for the band to say thank you."

The entertainment began with the Kincardine Community Concert Band, followed by the impressive Toronto All-Star Big Band which has been in attendance for more than 30 years.

Elona Oraha (left), Aria DeCastro and Teagan McFarlane sing with the Toronto All-Star Big Band in Victoria Park, Kincardine

Also performing, were the Teeswater Highlanders Pipe Band, Clinton Legion Pipes and Drums, Ingersoll Pipe Band, Sarnia Legion Pipe Band, and the Eliza Jane Ceilidh Band. Later, the Wiarton Pipe Band joined in the massed band parade.

Norm Gauthier did a great job as MC for the show.

The Sarnia Legion Pipe Band performs; videos by David Dadson

The Teeswater Highlanders Pipe Band performs

McManus said the hungry crowd went through 2,600 hot dogs and 2,400 cobs of corn, as well as a plethora of butter and onions.

He gave a shout-out to all the sponsors of the event, and the many, many volunteers, for their ongoing support of this appreciation event. Special mention goes to Rob Parker of Bruce Beach who cooks the corn.

Following the afternoon of entertainment, the visiting bands formed up along Durham Market North, beside Victoria Park, to join the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band in the traditional Saturday Night Parade through downtown Kincardine. There were about 150 pipers and drummers taking part in the massed band parade.

The Massed Band Parade marches through downtown Kincardine, Saturday night

Fortunately, the rain never materialized, but the parade headed out about five minutes ahead of the 8 p.m. usual start time, marching to Quinn Plaza and then back to Durham Market North for a brief concert.

A reminder that the final Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band Saturday Night Parade is Saturday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m.