For soldiers in the American Civil War, music was one of the primary forms of entertainment and regimental esprit.The music was sometimes in song, sometimes instrumental and often both.After sundown in the aftermath of a battle, if opposing forces were camped in close proximity to each other, one band would strike up a tune and when it finished, the band on the other side would answer with a tune of its own.It was a whole more relaxing than shooting at each other! This could go on at length and would only end when one of the bands decided to get some sleep.
It is a Vintage Band Festival tradition to replicate this communal sharing of tunes beside the Cannon River.In 2026 five bands will participate in the exchange, three on one side of the river and two on the other.Each band will play a tune of its choosing and pass the baton to the next band in a round robin routine.Depending on the length of the tunes, this may result in each band playing three tunes or possibly just two.
The five bands will be: the Dodworth Saxhorn Band, the Independent Silver Band, the American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band, Newberry’s Victorian Cornet Band, and the 1st Brigade Band.This delightful spectacle will take place Saturday, August 1, at 12 p.m.on the Downtown Riverwalk between the pedestrian bridge and the 2nd St.bridge.Don’t miss it!
