July 25, 2009 - Rome Honor America Parade

La Banda Rossa waited at W. Pine St. for our turn to enter the Honor America Parade. This location gave us a few less blocks to march. However Rome's Parade is still a very long route with many participants. It really is one of the better parades in the area.

The weather was sunny and warm and the crowds were out in full force to enjoy our first real summer day - a perfect day for a parade. The crowds were at least two deep practically the whole parade route and near the reviewing stand up to four or five deep.

Shortly after the reviewing stand we got a brief reprieve from the heat when a man with a garden hose arched a spray of water to mist us.

Because it's such a long parade - our Capo, Richard Pashley, went over our march list before we started. We first played all the Military Marches, then our Italian Feast Marches, and last our traditional parade marches.

We all enjoyed playing such a variety of music and it gave the feeling that the parade was shorter than it was because we didn't need to repeat any marches. The crowd also seemed to enjoy hearing our selection as they cheered and applauded along the whole route.

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Please follow link below for photos of the parade
Rome Honor America Parade

July 19, 2009 - Mt. Carmel Church Festival - Utica, NY

The Sunday activities for the Mt. Camel Feast began after Mass with a Procession of Parishioners making 5 different stops. Each stop had a small table in front usually covered with a cloth, candles, flowers, and a statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on it.




At each stop the procession would recite a Decade of the Rosary in a different language - first in Italian, then Spanish, followed by French, English, and the 5th in Vietnamese. This was to acknowledge the diverse membership of the Parish.

The Procession concluded with a Benediction at the Shrine in the church parking lot where "Tantum Ergo" was sung in Latin. Throughout the entire Procession the Red Band supplied the most international of all languages - Music! At 2:00pm we gathered in the school lot under a big green and yellow tent to play our concert.

Pat Santacroce was our MC and our program included Italian favorites, polkas, marches, and one solemn and serious selection to honor the Feast - the "Ave Maria" - which was followed by a noticeable silence from the crowd before their huge applause.

What a big turn-out this year! Our large audience spilled out of the tent and the grounds were full of people forming long lines at the food tents. The food was outstanding as usual and included the usual favorites - pizza frite, the Cafe, and new this year - Sicilian Rice Balls and Eggplant Sandwiches.

A "Feast" indeed!

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Please click on link below for photos
Photos of Procession and Concert

July 17, 2009 - Ilion Doo Dah Parade

It's confirmed...rain does not stop nor hamper Ilion's "Doo-Dah Parade".

After lining up by Remington Arms, the marchers all waited for the parade to begin while the weather would change from a drizzle to a light rain.

The Red Band marched in a drizzly shower dodging the deep puddles while the crowds of spectators, many under umbrellas, cheered and applauded the marchers.

Most of the band kept their jackets on to keep dry but the humidity made it too uncomfortable for some of the members.

Fortunately, as if on cue, the rain let up by the end of the parade and Ilion continued celebrating its' zany, crazy, Doo-Dah Day Festivities.

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Please click on link below for photos.
Ilion Doo Dah Parade

July 12, 2009 - Boilermaker Road Race Utica, NY

The grassy divider on the Parkway at Tilden Ave. was all ready for us at 6:30am on Boilermaker Sunday. The chairs and a case of water were there along with two volunteers to assist us. They helped us setup and arrange the chairs and music stands

Our location was at the end of the "International Mile" just before the end of Race Mile 2.

It was perfect weather for the race - cool and sunny with a slight breeze.

Once the wheelchair racers sped by, we played continuously because at that point in the race the runners are pretty much still packed together.

All our selections were lively - but we seemed to get the biggest response from the runners when we played "Funiculi Funicula" - with some of them even dancing in front of the Band. Because it seemed to be a crowd favorite we repeated it a few times.

In just about an hour the race had passed us and it was only 9:00am!

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Please click on link below for photos.
Boilermaker Road Race

July 11, 2009 - New York Mills Bell Parade

The weather was a major "guest player" in the New York Mills Bell Parade this year. The parade was preceded by a thunderstorm and the rain was quite heavy as we gathered on Elm St. with everyone staying in their cars!

Just moments before the start - it was decided that the Band members should drive down to the park and play under the pavilion for the duration of a "car parade"

As soon as we reached the pavilion the rain stopped and the rest of the Parade started.

We lined up chairs in our marching formation and played as Police Cars, Fire Trucks, and Cars with dignitaries in them passed by. Because the rain had stopped there were a few walkers in the parade but not too many people were lined up at curbside to watch.

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Please click on link below for photos from the parade.
New York Mills Bell Parade

July 4th, 2009 - Parades and Concert

The Red Band's 4th of July activities start in Whitesboro. The Parade stepped off at 1pm with La Banda Rossa leading the line of march. By the time we played our first 5 marches - we were parading past the American Legion Honor Guard and onto the Village Green to prepare for a 2 hour concert.


Because of the threat of rain - we squeezed everyone into the Bandstand Gazebo. It stayed dry but the wind was strong (25mph) and the temperature never got above 67. Our audience made themselves comfortable in lawn chairs, jackets, sweaters, and even blankets. We played several patriotic songs and a medley of Gay 90's favorites entitled "Belle of the Ball". Whitesboro puts on a real old-fashioned 4th with bandstand, flags waving, great American music - they even serve popcorn, hot dogs, and apple pie.

We also gave a special salute to a couple that had been married on July 4th celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary - Mr. and Mrs. Cammarere, the parents of our Trombone player Mark, and grandparents of our percussionist, Rocco!
(The Red Band is all about family)

The Utica parade started at 6pm with BIG changes this year.The parade lined in the MVCC parking lot and took a long march down Sherman Drive and Culver Ave before finally reaching a small group of spectators which grew slightly larger at the Armory. The crowd gradually increased at the reviewing stand where the parade briefly stopped while we played the National Anthem. The greatest number of people was at the entrance to Proctor Park where Utica was having the Fireworks come nightfall. The city wanted to honor the 100th Anniversary of the Park by moving the celebration there this year.

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Please click on the links below for photos.
July 4th Parades and Concert

Photos of Whitesboro Concert taken by others