On Sat., Aug. 31, the marching band performed at the Labor Day Parade. The parade takes place to embrace Labor Day, a day in which people across the country celebrate American workers and their contributions to the American economy and life. 

For sophomores, the Labor Day parade is their first parade as a part of the high school marching band. 

Transitioning from the junior high to high school musical programs means there are some significant marching band differences, especially involving the parades.

“Marching in high school is pretty different than the junior high. The songs [in high school] make it way more difficult. All in all, the parade was still a blast,” sophomore Dominic McMasters said.

For the last two years, senior Maeve Wonderly has participated in parades by marching in the band as a musician; however, this year Wonderly marched ahead of the band as drum major.

“I was actually very excited for my first parade as drum major. Especially because it’s a really fun job and parades are always pretty cool,” Wonderly said.

In contrast to the sophomores, most of the seniors feel bittersweet about these events.

“I feel really sad knowing that I only have a limited number of parades left. Parades can be really fun! It’s so exciting to see all the kids getting candy afterward [which] is a cool bonus,” senior Theresa Bowman said.

For the seniors, this was their last Labor Day parade as high school band musicians.

“I love talking to people before the parade begins. I’ll definitely miss the songs we play and everyone in the marching band. We all have such a great time together,” senior Levi Long said. 

Although this is her first parade as drum major, this is also Wonderly’s last Labor Day parade as a part of the high school band.

“I’ll definitely miss performing with my friends in parades that all the bystanders enjoy,” Wonderly said.

The next parade the marching band will perform in is the Veterans Day Parade on November 11.