"Only in Broken Arrow would we shut down Main Street for a rehearsal," Mark Frie, executive director of the school's fine arts programs, said at the Farmers Market Pavilion, where the band and its supporters gathered after the parade practice.
Superintendent Jarod Mendenhall couldn't suppresses his pride for "the Pride," nor did he want to.
"We still feel like a small community, and I like that," he said to a cheering crowd. "This is what's right with schools."
After the band played a clap-along version of "Oklahoma," Main Street merchants presented a donation to the band for its trip, and Mayor Craig Thurmond praised band members for their hard work.
"We're so proud of what they've done," he said.
"We feel really blessed to have this band here," Thurmond said.
Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce President Wes Smithwick said the parade exposure is an opportunity for the community to be recognized by more people.
"Almost 50 million Americans will watch and see that banner that says Broken Arrow on it," he said. "We thank you for representing our community so well, and we are very, very proud of you."
The band will be playing a medley from "Mars" and "Jupiter" along the 5-mile route.
"They're just awesome kids. Broken Arrow's very proud of them," said Paula Kasishke, whose daughter Emma is in the color guard.
Excitement about the trip is building, with a full itinerary of activities in addition to the parade, including trips to Universal Studios, Disneyland and the beach.
Kelley Loud's sons Aaron, on drums, and Carter, on sousaphone, are gearing up for the once-in-a-lifetime trip.
"They work very hard," Loud said of the band, noting that it was invited to perform in Pasadena after winning the Bands of America Grand National Championships in 2011.
The band members are fiercely competitive and devoted to hours of practice every week, but Loud said the trip will give the students a chance to have some fun.
The band also performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2009 and was the Bands of America Grand National Champion in 2006.
The parade will be broadcast beginning at 10 a.m. CDT on New Year's Day on several television networks, including ABC, NBC and HGTV.
But as many as a million spectators could be along the parade route - an audience that Darrin Davis, the director of bands, said is unmatched by anything the band members may ever experience again.
"It's creating memories for kids," he said. "They've earned it."
Original Print Headline: They love a parade
Susan Hylton 918-581-8381
susan.hylton@tulsaworld.com
Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com/site/articlepath.aspx?articleid=20121218_12_A11_CUTLIN835542&rss_lnk=11
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