As National Kazoo Day approaches on January 28, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the history of the Meaford Scarecrow Kazoo Band and the kazoo itself.
The Meaford Scarecrow Kazoo Band is a highlight of the town’s Scarecrow Invasion that runs from mid-September to mid-October. The annual tradition began in 1996 as a Business Improvement Area initiative during the Apple Harvest Craft Show. Spearheaded by George Potopnyk, this major community festival has been recognized as one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals and Events. Under the 20-year leadership of Marilyn Morris, affectionately known as the Head Scarecrow, the festival expanded from scarecrow displays to include parades, family-friendly activities, and the formation of the Scarecrow Kazoo Band.
The Scarecrow Kazoo Band has become a much-loved fixture in Meaford. Now, directed by Jen Burak, this fun-loving group of locals puts on lively performances, blending kazoo music with singing and percussion. They perform at the Scarecrow Parade, the Farmers’ Market, Summerfest, the Christmas Tree Lighting, nursing homes, and wherever else they can spread some joy.
But why the kazoo? The kazoo, a simple yet distinctive musical instrument, traces its origins to the 19th century. While some accounts suggest that an African American named Alabama Vest from Georgia invented the kazoo around 1840, there is no documentation to support that claim. The first documented appearance of a kazoo was created by American inventor Warren Herbert Frost, who patented his new musical instrument in 1883. Frost’s kazoo differed from modern designs but shared the fundamental concept of a vibrating membrane that modifies the player’s humming voice. The modern metal kazoo was later patented by George D. Smith of Buffalo, New York, in 1902. By 1916, the Original American Kazoo Company in Eden, New York, began mass-producing metal kazoos, a tradition that continues today.
Despite its unassuming appearance, the kazoo’s unique timbre has made notable contributions to various music genres. In the early 1920s, it featured in jazz, with groups like the Mound City Blue Blowers incorporating it into their performances. It has also been utilized in classical compositions, such as Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Mass’, and in popular music, including The Beatles’ ‘Lovely Rita’.
In honour of National Kazoo Day, the Scarecrow Kazoo Band has plans to do a Pop-In-Parade, visiting stores and restaurants along Sykes Street from 10 – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28. Whether you’re a seasoned kazoo player or just discovering its charm, they would love residents to join the fun, hum along, and experience the unique magic of the kazoo.
For more information about the event and other activities, follow @scarecrow_kazoo_band on Instagram, or visit the Meaford Downtown website at www.meaforddowntown.ca.
