It is great to have some sense of normalcy in 2021, and this includes the Towpath Volunteers appearing in parades and performances. With the 2020 marching schedule completely wiped out due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the 2021 schedule, though reduced from previous years, has the group in performing in a dozen or so events.
It is a season in flux as many events are caught between planning an event and not knowing what limitations, if any, will be required to hold it. The 2021 schedule has already had many updates and a few cancelations so please check the schedule before heading out to see us. We will keep our on-line schedule up to date as we are informed of any changes.
How will this effect our hopes of attending the next installment of the World Fife and Drum Festival in Sitzerland in 2021? This event unfortunatley had to be canceled. With groups from around the world expected to attend, the organizers were unable to assure funding to hold such a large endevor. While this is unfortunate, it also brings us to some exciting news: The "World Fife and Drum Friendship Festival" will again be coming to the USA as the Towpath Volunteers have agreed to host the event in conjunction with the Macedon and Wayne County Bicentennial celebration. The event will take place from August 31st through September 4th in 2023. We will continue to keep the website up to date as information becomes available.
The invitation to perform at the European Fife and Drum Festival held in Saint-Tropez, France in September of 2011, was perhaps the greatest single event the corps has ever undertaken. With the Towpath Volunteers in attendance, the festival was able to call itself a World Fife and Drum Festival, and Towpath enjoyed the "Royal Treatment". Before the Volunteers had even left Saint-Tropez, discussion had already begun on bringing the European groups to our home town of Macedon, New York.
European Fife and Drum Festival 2011
Saint-Tropez, France
The trip to Saint-Tropez opened many doors, to new adventures and friendships. After a trip to Ivrea, Italy in March of 2014 at the Historic Carnivale, the Towpath Volunteers were honored to host corps from Italy, Belgium and France, in September of 2015 to join us in the 1st World Fife and Drum Festival. The World Fife and Drum Festival continued in 2017 in Belgium and 2019 in Italy. Switzerland will be the home to the festival in 2021.
But...traveling around the world in not just what the Towpath Volunteers is all about!
The Towpath Volunteers prides itself in a having a family oriented all-inclusive organization.
Membership: Members come in all ages and all shapes and sizes. Families march together. One does not need to be from Macedon to be part of this group. Members come from throughout Wayne and surrounding counties. No musical or marching experience is required. There is something for everyone! Learn the Fife or Drum, march in the Color Guard, Militia or with the banner.
Practices: Weekly practices are held in the cafeteria of the Pal-Mac Intermediate School each Wednesday from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM. During the summer months practices are held at the pavilion at Canal Park (Lock 30) in Macedon. Lessons are provided by experienced instructors.
Local Parades: The Towpath Volunteers march throughout Wayne and surrounding counties performing at local Firemen’s parades and community festivals. Generally, the parade season starts with St. Patrick’s Day and continues through September.
Community Service: Part of what makes the corps special is the involvement in the community. The corps can be seen at nursing homes, scouting events and other local events.
Honoring our Veterans: The Military Medley is played whenever possible to honor our veterans.
Sharing our History: Fifing and Drumming is part of our American heritage. The fifes and drums are representative of those used during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The music and uniforms also represent periods in our history.
Affordable: There is no membership fee to join. All lessons are provided by the corps. Uniforms and other equipment are provided. The only cost to an individual would be the purchase of a beginner fife ($7.00). A member would also need to purchase their own socks and shoes.
Honoring our Country: Towpath is proud to display a full Color Guard by carrying the 50 Star Flag, New York State Flag and the Betsy Ross Flag. The corps had the honor to play at the White House and for President Ronald Reagan.
Family: Once a member of Towpath, you are not just part of your own family, but you become part of the Towpath family.
Other Travel: The corps has also travelled to Disney World Florida, the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates in Tampa, and the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Other events over the years include fife and drum musters throughout New England.
Volunteer: This group is 100% volunteers. All instructors and leaders volunteer to make this group successful.
How to join the Senior Corps
The Towpath Volunteers Senior corps is a family organization open to anyone interested in preserving Our American Heritage.
With musical and non musical sections in the corps, a knowledge of music is not required. Lessons and equipment are
provided and there is no cost to join. The group does not have an age limit but to march with a fife or a drum with the Corps, the
individual is required to have a number of songs memorized and show they can march with the group. The areas available are
the Militia, Camp Followers, Color Guard, Fifes and Snare or Bass Drums. The group practices weekly, year round, from 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.
Wednesday evenings in the village of Macedon, NY. Please direct any question on joining or hiring the Towpath Volunteers to:
TowpathVolunteers@TowpathVolunteers.org.
