Like elaborate floats and kids scrambling for candy in the street, the sound of a marching band is a staple of summer parades.
In recent years, however, the Kenyon-Wanamingo band has struggled to field a marching band for the Fourth of July parade in Wanamingo. K-W Director of Bands Claire Larson is hoping to change that.
K-W doesn’t have a marching band during the school year, but Larson has strived to pull one together for summer events like the Fourth of July parade and Rose Fest. She’s succeeded a number of times and was on a roll from 2017 to 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic broke that winning streak.
Larson put out a call for past and present K-W band students last week, seventh grade and up. Thus far, seven current students have signed up, but she’s hoping for at least 25 to round out the band. Trumpet players are an area of particular need, without a single one signed up. According to Larson, fielding an incomplete band is not an option.
“It’s not a good representation of what our band is like. I will not put a group of instrumentalists on the street that doesn’t sound like what we should sound like,” she said.
With many students working summer jobs or away on vacation, finding enough players for a full band is challenging.
Incoming senior Joe Mills is one of the students that’s signed on for the marching band. As a newly elected band officer, he’s taking on additional responsibilities over the summer. He’s a believer in the value of band, saying its taught him a lot and introduced him to people he wouldn’t have known otherwise.
“We definitely have a very good band, and Mrs. Larson is probably one of the best directors in the area,” said Mills. “I think a lot of kids enjoy it so that helps a lot too.”
Once, Larson even drafted her own kids to fill out the band’s ranks. This year, she’s hoping some K-W alumni step up to fill the gaps if they can’t find enough students. Larson said the band has played the same marching tune, “Quest,” during her 14 years in the district, and anyone who wants to play it again is free to return.
“If there are people that still have their instrument around, they’re welcome to join us,” she said.
Kids under seventh grade can carry banners, and parents can volunteer to carry water or march with the band. She’s asking volunteers to respond by Friday, so she can determine whether there are enough to round out the band. If not, she wants to give volunteers plenty of notice so they can make alternate plans for the holiday.
If she’s able to find a balanced band, Larson said preparation would be fairly informal, as the students already know the music and know how to march.
“Once you practice it, it gets pretty easy. When you first start out, it’s pretty hard for the new kids. It’s kind of a long walk, and playing at the same time is pretty tough but you get used to it,” said Mills.
Larson said the band doesn’t have the funds for a competition marching band during the year, due to the cost of uniforms and transportation. However, she’s said investors from the community have been very supportive of the program. While the clock is ticking, there may be an opportunity for sponsors to fund lighter shirts to help marchers cope with the heat.
Whether or not the band becomes together this year, Larson said she’ll keep trying in the future.
Wanamingo Fourth of July
The parade is part of a larger slate of Fourth of July events in Wanamingo. The Fire Department Picnic and Dance will kick off the festivities Wednesday evening, followed by food and games at various locations in town. The Lions Club will be serving concessions at the dance, and during the holiday itself. After the parade in the afternoon, the Fire Hall will host a water fight. Fireworks begin at dusk.
The festivities will resume Saturday, July 6 with a volleyball tournament to raise funds for next year’s fireworks, a joint initiative by the Commercial Club and The Spot Sports Pub and Grill. The day will also include a VFW fundraiser and the fifth annual Wanamingo Putt Putt Classic.
In addition to fundraising for fireworks, the Commercial Club is one of the major sponsors for Thursday’s events, contributing inflatables for kids, including an obstacle course.
“I just think it is fun to see how alive the town is on Fourth of July weekend, because Wanamingo is usually pretty quiet,” said Tina Leininger, a member of both the Commercial Club and Lions Club.
Leininger said Fourth of July is a community-wide effort in Wanamingo, with numerous organizations pitching in to help.
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