Scout House 80th Anniversary Year Community Barbecue

Preston Scout House Band Inc. is turning up the heat on Canada Day weekend by inviting current and former members, family, friends and fans to attend a giant community barbecue and entertainment afternoon on Saturday June 30, the day before Preston’s annual Canada Day parade on Sunday July 1.

The community barbecue is one of several special events that Scout House is offering this year to allow as many people as possible to help celebrate the 80th year since the Band was founded in 1938 as an innovative new activity for members of the 1st Preston Scout Troop.

Barbecue tickets are $15, free for children 12 and under. The barbecue will take place from noon to 6 pm June 30 at Sunbridge Hotel & Conference Centre (formerly the Holiday Inn), 200 Holiday Inn Drive in the Hespeler neighbourhood. Out of town friends and fans can receive a discount price of $99 plus tax and MSF on room rentals by calling the front desk toll free at: 1 (866) 375-8241 and saying Preston Scout House to qualify for the special rate.

Those attending should bring their lawn chairs to enjoy afternoon events including:

*Performances by Scout House member groups.

*Presentation of awards to kids colouring contest winners and the 2018 Wilf Blum youth music scholarship recipient.

*Display of vintage Scout House memorabilia, including photos, awards, programs, video highlights.

*Silent Auction for a vintage Scout House drum and carrying case, horn and case.

*A barbecue meal including: hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts, salads, fresh deli buns and condiments, ice tea, lemonade, assorted dessert squares, watermelon wedges.

*Scout House souvenirs available for purchase, including T-shirts, 80th year lapel pins, history books.

Special 80th year Scout House projects, in addition to the kids colouring contest and Wilf Blum youth scholarship award, include a give-away of Band history books at each of Cambridge’s 50+ community centres and a concert being arranged with the City of Cambridge Community Services Department.

The Band will also perform twice in downtown Preston on Saturday July 14 during Preston Towne Centre’s Summer Sidewalk Sale & Funfest. Scout House will also participate in the annual Preston Royal Canadian Legion Branch 126 Warriors Day parade and concert on September 8 and Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11, marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

Preston Scout House Band, Inc. is a non-profit corporation with registered charity status able to issue tax receipts to donors, incorporated under the Corporations Act of the Province of Ontario on November 29, 1956. The multi-unit organization offers individuals the opportunity to “Arrange the soundtrack of your life” in marching arts activities starting at age 8 and continuing throughout life.

These units are: Preston Scout House Cadets award winning drum and bugle corps for young men and women up to age 22; Preston Scout House Alumni Band, which has earned more than 50 awards, certificates and plaques over the past 20 years; Silver Leaves Brass, an award winning ensemble; Magic of Scout House competitive winter guard, winner of four consecutive North East Color Guard Circuit championships since 2015; Heritage Drill Team, with members wearing tight black shorts, knee socks, short sleeved burgundy tunics, white gauntlets and Aussie hats as in the 1950 and ‘60s.

For more information about Preston Scout House Band Inc. activities, contact telephone (519) 653-3376, email prestonscouthouseband [dot] adm [at] sympatico [dot] ca or visit the website at: scouthouseband.com