The Washington State American Legion Band was started by the Olympia American Legion Post 3 in 1924. Since that year, through good years and lean years, it was recognized as a significant musical organization in the South Sound area, state-wide and nationally.
Shortly after its inception, the band was also recognized as the official band of the Washington Department of the American Legion. It remained under joint support of Post 3 and the Department until 1999, when Post 3 relinquished its support to the Department and the band was renamed the Washington State American Legion Band.
Throughout its tenure, the band has continued to be an integral part of the life of the Capital Cities area. It has provided entertainment through numerous concerts, civic celebrations, parades and historic community events.
From 1925 to 2004, the band has participated in every state American Legion Convention and has performed at the opening day of the yachting season of the Olympia Yacht Club. It has lead scores of parades, including the Olympia Pet Parade every year since its inception.
The sixty-member band is the only remaining American Legion musical organization in Washington and is one of only a handful of similar organizations nationally. The band plays about 25 events a year, mostly in Southwest Washington. The band plays marches, overtures, waltzes and other traditional wind ensemble music.