Join us for the parade, led by the 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums. Be a part of our Opening Parade! Meet in Butler Byers Century Hall at 12:15pm.
The 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums youth band is a non-profit organization whose objective is to preserve and promote appreciation of Scottish heritage through highland piping and drumming.
The band plays at Remembrance Day services, Folkfest, Robbie Burns day events, benefits and sporting events, walks for causes, local and regional parades and several other venues. Highlights of past performances include a trip to Scotland where the band competed in games at Perth, North Berwick, and the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.
The 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums originated in the early 1960’s and were known as the Saskatoon Boys Pipe and Drum Band. In the early 1980’s girls from the Bonnie Bluebells were admitted to the band and the name was changed to the Saskatoon Optimist Pipes and Drums. In 1989 the band changed to the 96th Highlanders Pipes & Drums.
The band takes its name from the 96th Canadian Infantry Battalion of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan that was formed in 1915. The battalion consisted of 768 soldiers known as the “Canadian Highlanders” who fought in World War I. Their pipe band consisted of twelve pipers and six drummers. The battalion formally presented their cap badge to the band in 1966. Today the band is administered by an association made up of the band members’ parents and operates under a constitution and by-laws.
Visit the 96th Highlanders Pipes & Drums website for more information.
Heritage Festival of Saskatoon 