Caledonia Ontario

Caledonia is a picturesque community with a small town atmosphere on the Canadian Heritage Grand River just 15 minutes south of Hamilton on No. 6 Highway. When one enters Caledonia, they are entering Haldimand County.

Caledonia's historic roots go back to 1784 when General Haldimand rewarded Joseph Brant and the Six Nations for their loyalty to the Crown, with land on both sides of the Grand River. Caledonia's Founder in 1835 was Ranald McKinnon, who laid out the village and the streets according to his ancestral homeland, Scotland.

Large crowds of people come to Caledonia for its annual Canada Day celebrations on July 1^st. A parade, which includes Caledonia & District Pipes & Drums, takes place on Argyle Street and entertainment is to be found along the bank of the Grand River around the dam.

A visible landmark strategically located just west of the bridge, is the scenic Circa 1850's Old Mill, which remains as a reminder of the town's early pioneer development. The Town Hall, built in 1857, is on Edinburgh Square, the only one left of five original planned squares and now houses the Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre, preserving and profiling the history of this community. The 1908 Railway Station has been renovated to its Grand Trunk days of splendor and acts as a Grand Trunk museum, office of the Caledonia Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Caledonia, and is also the Caledonia & District Pipes & Drums practice venue.

Caledonia and surrounding area is steeped in history and heritage which provides visitors with tradition, nostalgia, many places to see and new adventures to experience.

Caledonia & District Pipes & Drums

The band was formed at a meeting called by the Special Projects Committee of the Caledonia Chamber of Commerce on 1^st March, 2001. At that time there were no pipers or drummers. After extensive advertising the band was able to participate in their first parade on Canada Day 2002.

Since then the band has performed regularly to the present day throughout the Haldimand, Norfolk and Niagara regions. Each year at the end of September the band lead the Kirkin' o' the Tartan parade and participate in the service at Caledonia Presbyterian Church, honoring the clans. The tartan worn by the band is the Ancient Caledonia.

Practices take place on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. at the Grand Trunk Railway Station, Caledonia, for playing pipers and drummers and tutoring commences at 6 p.m. for both student pipers and drummers.

New members are always welcome to the band. The band prides itself on being a good street band and tries to keep a happy family atmosphere amongst its members.