The Bainbridge High School Band has been selected, for the third time, to appear in the 2008 ABC/BOSCOV’S Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is the 89th year for the parade which is held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bainbridge High School Band first appeared in the parade in 2000.
Over 200 BHS band students will be participating in the parade. To provide for their transportation and other expenses, the students are raising money through various fund raisers.
All band students that will be making the trip are currently involved in selling Smoked Chicken plates. Tickets for plates will began Monday October 29th and will end on Monday November 5th. Tickets are $8.00 each and include ½ chicken, baked beans, potato salad, cake and bread.
Plates will be picked up on November 13th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. from Boyd’s Bar-B-Q on Calhoun Street in the Avenues Mall. Russell Boyd, the owner of Boyd’s has graciously donated his time and place of business for cooking and preparation of all of the plates the students sell. Tickets may be obtained from any band student from 8th grade through 12th grade or by calling the BHS Band office 248-0233.
Todd Marcocci, producer of the parade invited director of bands, Paschal Ward, to submit an application for this years parade. This involved the band’s resume along with a video of the band performing half-time shows and parade performances. Within a short period of time the band received notification of acceptance to next year’s parade. The letter also had a personal note from Mr. Marcocci which stated,” Glad to have your great band back.” The BHS band is the only band from the state of Georgia, at this time, that received an invitation. Bands appearing in the parade represent states from all across America.
Director of Bands Paschal Ward stated, “Both students and parents are excited about this wonderful opportunity.” “Students are given the option to go with the band or not to go. It is not a mandatory trip for anyone. It is a trip that will provide opportunities towards each student establishing a better work ethic as well as the historical and educational values included in this trip”. Each student, that wants to attend, will have a trip account established with the band department. Each student will be given opportunities, through various types of fund raisers to build his or her account.
Our booster organization began working towards this trip this fall and through their efforts and our supporters the transportation of the band is very close to already being paid for. We feel certain that the remainder of the transportation goal will be met prior to our departure. We are grateful to the citizens of Decatur County and the Decatur County School System for allowing us this opportunity and realizing the educational benefits this type of trip allows each one of our students.”
