Chatham's Branch 642 Royal Canadian Legion Pipes & Drums is heading to Saint John, New Brunswick.
The band will be traveling to the east coast to perform in the parade that is a part of the 49th Dominion Legion Convention which runs from August 24 to 28.
The three day convention is where delegates and proxies make decisions and discuss the legion's future, but what the pipe and drum band is going for is the parade.
"The Dominion Convention happens yearly, it's not always in the same spot but somewhere within Canada, and it's close enough to us that at the beginning of the year, we thought we could make it happen," said Snare Drummer Erin June. "Because we are a legion pipe band, we are always on the lookout for things we can do to help the veterans...being thankful for the sacrifices that came before us."
Of the 40 or 50 members, 12 to 14 are making the trip in August, and for June it is also a family affair.
"I have my two daughters going with me. My oldest daughter, Rinoa is a bagpiper and my youngest daughter is a snare drummer. She is a parade trainee with us, she's 10," said June. "My grandfather was a bagpiper with The Lorne Scots in Brampton and I grew up in that kind of atmosphere and I did cadet band camp. When I got back into it with the Legion pipe band of course I was like 'Hey kiddos.'"
To help alleviate some of the costs associated with the trip, the band has been raising funds by hosting BBQs, a golf tournament, dinners, and now a tartan tea event on August 10 at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
"I love tea and I found Mrs. Bell's Tea Room and I knew she had supported the Legion itself on Remembrance Day. I said would you mind helping us put a fundraiser on and she thought it was a fun idea," said June.
Scottish treats like finger sandwiches, scones, shortbread, Scottish snowballs, and Millionaire’s shortbread will be served and tickets are $35.
"It's going to be fun, it's going to be interactive people can ask us questions, myself and my daughter and some band mates are going to be there as well," said June.
To purchase tickets to the Tartan and Tea event click here or call 226-627-0248.