July 27, 2013 -- Honor America Days Parade Rome, NY

Bravo!! To the city of Rome for consistently hosting one of the area’s largest and grandest parades. This was the 30th year that Rome has hosted its annual Honor America Days and the parade is a red, white, and blue display of patriotic enthusiasm.

There were 14 divisions in this 3 hour parade and the Red Band was placed at the end of division 10. Another band, The Excelsior Cornet Band, was at the beginning of our division. They are a Civil War band and use authentic antique brass instruments and percussion and are based in Syracuse, NY.

History is such a big part of Rome and its parade. Going back to August 26, 1758, Fort Stanwix was constructed to protect the area during the French and Indian War as well as playing a vital role during the Revolution.

On July 4, 1817 – the 1st shovelful of dirt was dug in Rome to start construction of the Erie Canal.

It was also home to Griffiss Air Force Base from 1942-1995.

Rome’s claim to fame doesn’t stop there – Francis Bellamy, the author of the Pledge of Allegiance lived here and is buried in Rome.

La Banda Rossa is honored to be part of Rome’s parade – after all this is our 108th year so we have quite a lot of history of our own.

It wasn’t hard to spot us – we were directly behind a very tall Uncle Sam on stilts and his ultra-agile unicycle companion.

The weather was perfect – the crowd was huge – lots of bands, balloon, and floats. Can’t rave enough about this one.

VIVA ROME!

VIVA AMERICA!!

For more photos please click on

Rome Honor America Parade

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!