The Riverside City Firefighters Association’s Pipe and Drum Band will march through Downtown Riverside for its 5th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl, celebrating Irish and Scottish firefighting traditions with live music, food, and firefighter merchandise.
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The Riverside City Firefighters Association’s Pipe and Drum Band will march through Downtown Riverside for its 5th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl, celebrating Irish and Scottish firefighting traditions with live music, food, and firefighter merchandise.
The Riverside City Firefighters Association’s Pipe and Drum Band will lead its 5th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl through Downtown Riverside on March 17, celebrating Irish and Scottish firefighting traditions with live music, food, and drinks.
Founded in 2018 by Capt. Ben Hunt and a small group of local firefighters, the band draws inspiration from the centuries-old tradition brought to America by Irish and Scottish immigrants who joined firefighting ranks in the 18th and 19th centuries. The band’s powerful blend of bagpipes and drums has become a local symbol of pride and remembrance.
“There’s something about the sound of the pipes and drums—it cuts right through you,” said Capt. Ben Hunt. “It’s a way to honor those who came before us and remind ourselves of the brotherhood we share.”
The event, open to the public, kicks off at 6 p.m. at ProAbition, where attendees can enjoy live performances, food, and firefighter-themed merchandise. From there, the band will march through the streets of Riverside, making stops at two additional downtown venues.
Attendees can purchase commemorative shirts and patches at each location, with proceeds helping to cover instrument upkeep and travel expenses for the band.
Attendees are encouraged to wear green, sing along to traditional Irish songs, and show their support for the firefighters who serve Riverside. Proceeds from merchandise sales will benefit the band’s maintenance and travel expenses, ensuring the tradition can continue for years to come.
The tradition of pipe and drum bands in American firefighting has roots in the Irish and Scottish immigrants who settled in East Coast cities like Boston and New York in the 1800s. Often faced with discrimination, many Irish and Scottish immigrants turned to civil service jobs, including firefighting. They brought with them the mournful and commanding sound of bagpipes, which quickly became a staple at firefighter funerals and memorials.
“The bagpipes have always been a way to honor fallen firefighters,” Hunt said. “The sound demands attention and respect—it’s impossible to ignore.”
Today, the Riverside Pipe and Drum Band keeps this legacy alive, performing at funerals, memorials, and civic events throughout Southern California. The band has grown from a small group of enthusiasts to a staple at local events, blending tradition with community spirit.
The bagpipes used by the band are typically of the Scottish variety, chosen for their smaller size and ease of handling during marches. Paired with the thunderous beat of drums, the sound is both haunting and uplifting—an auditory tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters past and present.
The camaraderie among band members mirrors the tight-knit bond shared by firefighters in the line of duty. Weekly practices often extend into barbecues and social gatherings, building relationships that go beyond the firehouse.
“Playing together requires the same kind of trust and teamwork that we rely on when responding to a call,” Hunt said. “There’s no room for ego—just like in a fire, we all have to play our part.”
This brotherhood is at the heart of the St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl, which aims to bring the community together in a spirit of celebration and gratitude. Each stop on the crawl will feature traditional Irish tunes, including “Scotland the Brave” and “The Minstrel Boy,” alongside American classics.
“We want people to feel connected to something bigger,” Hunt said. “It’s about community, tradition, and honoring those who came before us.”
As the Riverside Pipe and Drum Band continues to grow, members hope to expand their reach by performing at largerregional events and competitions. The band’s leadership is also exploring the possibility of hosting an annual Highland Games-style event in Riverside, featuring caber tossing, tug-of-war, and, of course, more live performances.
“Our goal is to make this an even bigger tradition,” Hunt said. “We want to share this music and this brotherhood with as many people as possible.”
With a blend of history, tradition, and community spirit, the Riverside Firefighters’ Pipe and Drum Band’s St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl is set to become a staple of Riverside’s cultural calendar for years to come.
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