Aug
30
The World’s Most Famous Boys’ Band
The Minnesota State Fair opened Thursday, which means it’s the perfect time to explain my great-grandfather’s connection to what’s also known as “The Great Minnesota Get-Together.” I have a few stories to tell, but I’ll use this post to focus on the the Bemidji Boys’ Band’s great fair adventure of 1922.
G. Oliver Riggs moved to Bemijdi in January 1919 after accepting an offer to direct the city’s municipal band and form a juvenile band. The rest of his family – wife Islea, elder son Ronald and younger son Percy – stayed in Crookston until June, when Ronald graduated from Crookston High School.
By March of 1919, G. Oliver had recruited 111 boys to the band and had begun instruction. Three years later, the Bemidji Boys’ Band was invited to perform at the Minnesota State Fair.
G. Oliver Riggs moved to Bemijdi in January 1919 after accepting an offer to direct the city’s municipal band and form a juvenile band. The rest of his family – wife Islea, elder son Ronald and younger son Percy – stayed in Crookston until June, when Ronald graduated from Crookston High School.
By March of 1919, G. Oliver had recruited 111 boys to the band and had begun instruction. Three years later, the Bemidji Boys’ Band was invited to perform at the Minnesota State Fair.