Optimists Bantams

Former Bantams

In the early 1960s, many of the members of the Toronto Optimists came from the Bantams. Alumni corps members who were associated with the Optimist Bantams include: George Wright, John Shearer and Rick Shearer.

The Optimists Bantams (1960)

THE OPTIMISTS BANTAMS

This Parade Corps is sponsored by The Optimist Club of Toronto Inc., as part of their Junior Boy’s Work Activities and are the feeder Corps for the Toronto Optimists Drum Corps.

Since their incorporation in 1959 the Bantams took a first at the Kiwanis Music Festival and in 1960 were the Junior Novice Standstill Champions. In 1962 they took the Junior Standstill Championships.

Toronto Optimists & the Bantams (Union Station, 1960)

For parade bookings contact: Mr. Fred Johnson, at 87 Madelaine Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario. Phone OX. 9-7779. (taken from an old program from 1963)

At the end of 1963, the Toronto Optimists lost a large number of their members. In order to keep the main corps going, the Bantams folded and their members joined the Toronto Optimists.