Trail Maple Leaf Band

The Trail Maple Leaf Band is believed to be the longest-active commuity band in Canada. The band was formed in 1917 by Italian immigrants, most of whom came to Trail to work at the smelter.

The size of band membership has varied for many reasons, such as the two World Wars. Since WWII, the band has flourished. At one time, there was a senior band with around 60 members and a junior band of around 40. Members of the junior band graduated to the senior group as they became more proficient.

Around 1936 there were bands in several East and West Kootenay cities. These are all gone now, except in Nelson and Trail. Some Maple Leaf Band members have been with the group for over fifty years and still playing on a regular basis.

The band has participated in many parades and played at famous venues throughout the province, such as Penticton's Peach Festival, at Kelowna and the Pacific National Exhibition Parade in Vancouver. In recent years performances have been limited to the East and West Kootenays.