Alvinston Band

Helen Armstrong, in her book Alvinston, the First Century 1880 - 1980, mentions a cornet band playing at the formal opening of the Branan Block on December 19, 1878. In 1882, a bandstand was built near the corner of Centre and River streets for performances by the Alvinston Band. Mr. J. H. Bradt was bandmaster at the time. They participated in town events, like the Brooke and Alvinston Fair, and played on summer evenings.

John Irving led the band 1910-1925. After that, the band folded up, and then a follow up band began again.

One of the fond memories of hearing the band (recounts Angus McLean) was taking the train from Alvinston to Sarnia, boarding the City of Toledo or Tashmoo steamer, and heading down the St. Clair River to Detroit. The band would play on the boat. The boat would dock in Detroit while the passengers shopped or relaxed for three hours, and then the boat would take the passengers back, serenaded again by the band.

A newspaper article notes that Eli Warner was the band's well-regarded bandmaster after 1925. A new bandstand was constructed in the village centre and dedicated to him. In 1942, he took the band to Windsor for a competition where the band won first prize in class B.

See Helen Armstrong, Alvinston, the First Century 1880 - 1980, Alvinston: Alvinston Centennial Committee.