“Rounders” experience marching in Macys Parade
The Greater St. Petersburg Area Awesome Original Second Time Arounder Marching Band performs in this year’s Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. More than 500 ‘Rounders’ musicians and auxilliary will participate. Watch this post throughout the day on Thursday for updates about their experience.
Leaving for New York
Flights left at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 from the St Pete/CLW airport Tuesday morning, the atmosphere was festive as the 18 months of work, practice and preparation were about to become a reality. New York here we come!
The Rounder’s are staying at the Newark Airport Marriott so the trip from the plane to hotel was short. Hotel check-in went seamlessly with the help of the Performing Arts Consultants and Music Festivals having everything in perfect order as everyone’s flight arrived.
Hospitality
Mayor Rick Baker with his wife Joyce, Melissa Mince (Majorette), Valarie Nussbaum-Harris (Quads) and Tom Kaczamerek (Trumpet) in the “Rounders” hospitality suite at the hotel in Newark, NJ.
Linda Connelly (Sax), Joe Schultz (Trombone from Miami) and Sandy Alcott (Trumpet from Charlotte, NC) The laughs never cease in the hospitality suite, this is a reunion for many members that moved away and have joined us for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Spirit Cruise
The “Rounders” went in several directions the first night, some to Broadway plays, some to NYC, just under 500 people took to the water on the Spirit Cruise for a wonderful dinner, dancing and the sights of New York.
However, Lady Liberty stole the spotlight as we cruised by her. Several people took to the decks of the boat for a closer look and braved the 36 degree weather, that has a “feels like” temperature of 29.
We were some of those that went out into the cold. Angie, David, Andrew and William Brown.
Parade Day
Our day started at 2:15 am with the boarding of the buses to New York. We arrived in Manhattan and the band did three rehearsal marches thru Herald Square at 3:30 am. The Rounder’s were then treated to breakfast, warmth and music at the Hard Rock Café.
By 7:00 the band was transported to West Central Park where the parade was being staged. This was the long part; we had to wait for about 3 hours outside in the cold before we could march.
Finally the moment we were all waiting for. Shortly after 10 am the band lined up in the street 517 strong and started down the route. We marched along Central Park on the Broadway, down through Time Square and finally to Macy’s. The crowds were great; people were cheering us on and welcoming us to New York all along the parade route.
The band stopped in front of Macy’s and did its performance for all of those watching on TV. Everyone in the band was excited and happy about his or her performance. While it was long hours and hard work the experience was well worth it. This is a memory we will all cherish for years to come.
John WIllson from Fox 13, Mayor Rick Baker and band leader Bill Findieson waiting in the cold before the parade.