Remembering the Kazoo Band

August 2026

Jul 31

Fourth of July

Wimberley, Texas

Dick McBride

The Fourth of July has come and gone, and with it came fond memories of HCMN's Kazoo Band marching in the Wimberley parade. Many of our newer members may not even know this was once a chapter tradition.

I marched with the Kazoo Band in the 2016 and 2018 parades, and Betsy Cross remembers marching in 2017. I asked around about other years but found very little information. Larry Calvert generously provided his trailer, and Dixie Camp organized our accompaniment. Art Arizpe also shared photos with Dixie from the 2007 parade. As far as I know, those are the only years our Kazoo Band participated, but perhaps other members remember additional parades. If so, we'd love to hear about them.

I was told this year's Wimberley Fourth of July parade was one of the biggest yet. I'll bet it still wasn't quite the same without a Kazoo Band.

Those parades were simply a lot of fun. There was plenty of laughter, great camaraderie, and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both our community and our chapter. I miss being part of it.

The following photos—and a few surviving videos—capture some of those happy memories. If you've never experienced the HCMN Kazoo Band, be sure to watch the video and imagine the smiles, laughter, and unmistakable sound of dozens of kazoos playing You’re a Grand Old Flag and This Land Is Your Land through the streets of Wimberley. My thanks to Art Arizpe for sharing his 2007 photographs and helping preserve this small piece of HCMN history.