A pregame performance and a major announcement at halftime set the tone for the Homewood High School Patriot Band’s 50th Anniversary Reunion on Sept. 23.
Former band members joined the marching band in the performance, held before kickoff at Waldrop Stadium as the Patriots played Pinson Valley. Alumni were treated to a barbecue dinner provided by Two Men and a Pig under a pavilion at the end of the stands near the scoreboard during the first quarter of the game.
At halftime, it was announced that the Patriot Band had been selected to march in next year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin.
“This is a huge opportunity for our students,” band Director Chris Cooper said. “The St. Patty’s Day Parade is a worldwide parade, and we will be marching with music groups from all around the globe.”
The Patriot Band is the largest high school marching band in the state and has appeared in many nationally televised parades, including nine appearances in the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade. The Patriots are not strangers to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade either. The band marched in Dublin in 1993 and 1997.
Reunion activities continued Sept. 24 with a tour of the high school’s new band room and fine arts facility, with lunch and a video/slideshow presentation of the band’s 50 years.
