The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums is one of the oldest pipe bands in the United States, founded in 1971, and is based in Alexandria, Virginia. They are a Grade 4 band competing in the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA). Alexandria's pipe band can trace its beginning to 1971, when a small group of pipers and drummers began playing together in Alexandria. The local tourism council and several businessmen took an interest in the group, and were instrumental in obtaining city sponsorship for a pipe band as a way to celebrate Alexandria's strong Scottish heritage. The band was formally organized early in 1972.