Rose Parade 2004

Dec. 26th The bus trip started out with lots and lots of snow. Pick up in Sheridan is at 3:30pm. Six more busses are to be picked up throughout the day and night as they made their way to Provo, Utah where they are to rendezvous. Anxiously anticipating a call from each bus on the other end in Downey, California is Mrs. Bellis and the other directors. By the middle of the night everyone is boarded on their respective busses. Several busses sit in the Wal Mart parking lot in Provo waiting for the other busses to catch up.

Dec. 27th Finally, all seven busses are ready to roll on their way to California. Movies are watched, food is shared, jokes are told, and even songs (Cowboy Joe) are sung on the different busses. At the Embassy Suites, the directors are busy changing drum heads, setting up registration, and marking the parking lot where practice will occur. Because of the delays due to weather, it is decided that Vegas is too far to go before the busses will stop for a meal. As the busses drive closer to St. George, they finally run out of the snow and onto roads that are clear. A stop at St. George to eat and refuel provides a chance to stretch. As Mrs. Bellis receives phone calls she updates the directors. Each time there is an update, the schedule keeps changing for after the students arrive. Pretty soon it is decided that practice is not going to occur at all that first night.

Then it happens A call to the directors informs them that five windows have been broken in two different busses. A call to the head bus driver confirms that on two busses windows have been shot. Thankfully the windows are double paned windows and no one has been hurt! After a visit with the California Highway patrol, the busses roll on to finish the last hour before arrival at the Embassy Suites in Downey. Everyone is then greeted by the staff, goes through a quick registration to get everyone in their rooms, and is given a much needed meal and bed!

Tired butts, unwashed windows that you couldn't see out of, running out of toilet paper, duct tape repaired windows, and the highway patrol

will always be remembered. Getting to California wasn't easy, but we were here and in relatively good spirits. Now the fun could begin!

Dec. 28th A good night of sleep helped every one have a great perspective on the day. The adults headed out to see the float building while the students headed over to Downey high school for their first practice. Sectionals to review routines and the music and then round and round the parking lot to get back into marching precision. Drum cases and baritone horn cases were set up to simulate "the corner". The directors are pleased- the students had come prepared and it didn't take long to get them back on track.

The adults and guests are treated to seeing thirteen floats in various stages of preparation for the Rose Parade. Seeds, bark of trees, and lots of flower petals are being meticulously attached. Various booths and a chili cook off outside the Rose Bowl gave plenty to view and enjoy.

At about noon, both the adults and students boarded busses and headed to Venice Beach. To see the ocean through the eyes of someone who has never seen it is always a highlight. However the ocean is just part of the fun at this culturally unique place. Mimes, tattoo artists, the smell

of incense, street artists, t-shirt shops and even people with a public forum and a microphone make the beach a real experience. Food is cheap but not so great. As the sun begins to set, we pile back on the busses with packages including purses, high heeled cowboy boots, hats, t-shirts, bracelets and necklaces. Oh yes, and about 1/3 have a new (temporary) tattoo and almost everyone has a smile on their face. It has been a great afternoon!

Some R and R time for dinner and an evening practice in the dark and it is time for our nightly meeting. What a great first day it has been and now we are looking forward to Universal Studios.

Dec 29th Today starts out very similar to yesterday. Sectionals are followed by marching practice. However, Mr. Holroyd, Mr. Gerth , Mr. Bellis and Talon are not at the practice. They are on their way to the working meeting, to see the route, hear the final details about performing in the parade, and then a stop at the Wrigley Mansion, which is now the Tournament of Roses house. The house is decorated for Christmas and is absolutely beautiful. It is also quite pleasing to see the bronze we had given the Riffeys displayed prominently.

After the meeting for the small group and practice for the large group we all headed for Universal Studio. 4-D Shrek delighted us and even

made us jump, Jurassic Park had many either quite wet or in a category of new owners of a blue rain coat, Water World provided tectonics and excitement, The Mummy had us walk through a tomb full of spider webs and surprise appearances, and Spiderman saved the day with musical accompaniment. In addition there was lots of shopping and almost everyone made a stop in the Hard Rock Café. At the end of the day some were getting in one last ride while others had found a nice warm place to get something to eat and watch the Nebraska Cornhuskers play in their bowl game.

On the way back to the hotel, there was contentment with how the day had gone, excitement for tomorrow and a little apprehension about what we had been working for- a PERFORMANCE!

Dec. 30th Disneyland Day! Even though everyone was looking forward to spending the day in the park with their friends, making sure the busses were loaded with instruments, uniforms, flags, and the Wyoming letters was first. After several trips back to rooms for everything from cowboy hats to dog tags to white undies, we were ready to go.

As everyone entered the park plans to hit the "hot" rides first took effect. Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Matterhorn were the rides of choice. It didn't take long and the lines were extremely long and those that had planned for the Fast Pass were getting in ahead of those that hadn't.

The morning went fast and it was soon time to meet at the bridge to Toon Town. At the allocated time we were met by Disney personnel and taken back stage to change and get ready for the afternoon parade. Back stage isn't what you would expect at Disneyland. It is a working back stage and holds none of the magic that the public usually sees.

Sharing the dressing room and a warm up area with two other bands of about 600 members strong is an experience all by itself. After warm

ups, it is time to go to the gate and wait for our turn to enter the parade route.

As the Wyoming High School All State Marching Band is welcomed on the Disney loud speakers we enter to thousands of people lined along

the streets. Coming around the castle you see ` Main Street USA with a huge decorated Christmas tree at the end. We are stopped part way down main street for a stand up performance. Playing all three tunes, it is interesting to note all of our parents lined along the street with cameras in their hands. They are beaming like we are doing something special, which of course we are.

Much too quickly the parade is over and we walk a long way back stage to change out of our uniforms. On our way we get a glimpse of the

Disney characters in the parade that followed us. Finally, we have the rest of the day to enjoy in the park. Besides the rides, pictures are taken with our friends, $5.00 foot long greasy corn dogs are consumed with $4.00 sodas, sweat shirts, t-shirts, key chains, mugs, and a variety of hats are purchased that portray Pluto, Minnie, Mickey and Eyeore.

As we get close to the end of the day we get to watch the second parade, with three more bands including the Idaho All State Band preceeding it. With the lights and music, Main Street becomes truly magical as Beauty and the Beast, Chip and Dale, the reindeer, Buzz Light Year, Aladdin, Minnie, Mickey and all the other Disney characters pass by.

Shortly after, main street fills with people gazing at the castle anticipating the most amazing fireworks display. Choreographed to music they are the perfect ending to our day.

Dec. 31,2003 New Years Eve Day- Mr and Mrs. Bellis, Miss Bellis, Mr. Aanestad, Mr. Bekken and Talon head to the Ritz Carlton for brunch and a chance to meet the Grand Marshall of the Parade- John Williams! Every thing is elegant- pictures with the Rose Queen and her court- the brunch itself- and awards with Mr. Bellis receiving gifts from Mr. Riffey and Mr. Williams.

The band is headed for Knott's Berry Farm for a fun filled day of rides with much shorter lines than Disneyland to stand in. The Xcelerater,

Timber Mountain Log Ride, the Boomerang, and Ghost Rider topped the list of those most ridden. Of course there is lots of food too- chicken, ice cream and BBQ plus much more is consumed.

At 3:30 we meet at the front of the park for the short trek to Medievel Times. Beautiful horses and knights perform for our entertainment. Quite a few valiantly yell for their knight as we consumed our chicken and ribs, potatoes and dessert- all with no silverware. In the end the Green Knight loses only because of treachery, yet good prevails over evil.

Back at the hotel we have our pre-parade meeting with last minute instructions and then decided we will celebrate New Years eastern standard time so we can get some much needed sleep. At exactly 9:00 p.m. (Midnight in ` New York) we all come out of our rooms and yell " Happy New Year." Hugs and kisses are shared as we bring in 2004 and then it is time to crash.

January 1st, 2004 At 4:30 a.m. the VIP's in the group head by bus to the Rose Parade. Mr. and Mrs. Eckroth and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Clay (Pepsi) and family are about to see the band they sponsor, perform for the first time.

At 5:30 a.m. all the other guests and chaperones head to their parking area for the parade. Their excitement level is extremely high to see "their kids" participate in a once in a lifetime experience.

At 6:30 the band and directors, after loading equipment, in full uniform head to the parade. Ten students had been chosen to ride to the parade

in style in their stretch limo. For them comfort and amenities are available. The rest of us are nerves- what will it be like? Could we all make it? Will everything go okay? Did everyone remember everything to perform?

Once we arrived in Pasadena, there is quite a wait until it is our turn to unload. As we cross under the overpass that we would soon march on,

we are privileged to see the fly over by the stealth bombers. Awesome!

Soon it is our turn to unload- we are given 7 minutes to do so, but they are running behind so we need to hurry! Hurry we do! Mr. Frazier times us and it takes 1:47 to unload and we are on our way up the off ramp to the street where we will form up. Warming up horns, straightening scarves, pit stops at the Port-a-potties and it is time to go. Each section does their warm up thing and then it is our turn to turn the corner at Orange Grove Boulevard.

Oh my gosh- there are literally walls of people! Both sides of the Street are lined with massive bleachers all looking at us. Well this is what we

prepared for and we're going to do it right. Ahead is "the corner"- T.V. cameras are every where with microphones sticking down from the sky. As we turn the corner- the float in front of us breaks down a bit and we are slowed way down then we're on our way again. Non- stop playing makes the first few blocks kind of a blur until we hear this big cheering section on our left. It is our VIP section and they have garnered support from those sitting around them to yell for the WHSASMB. Mr. Clay has handed out Wyoming pins to all those who will yell. It causes goose bumps to know they are all yelling for us!

While the students are busy marching with precision and playing Magnificent Seven, Ghost Riders and Western Medley, the directors are busy smiling, waving, shaking hands and being proud. Soon the thought comes that Colorado Boulevard goes for ever! As far ahead as you can see are people and the street appears to meet the horizon. The white coats tell us to catch up with the float in front of us so we are moving fast. Many are sure we will not be able to keep this pace up and have everyone make it through the parade. All of a sudden a cheer begins to be heard from the crowd ahead on the right. There they are- our parents and guests and they are standing and pointing and waving. Smiles and tears are evident on their faces and it gives you a really warm feeling deep inside to know they are there for us! In addition, the white coats now know that the float behind is broken down too, so we are able to do a stand up performance in front of our group of supporters.

As we continue, Mr. Gerth has a competition with the crowd to see if his side can yell louder. Mrs. Bellis takes on the challenge and tries to get her side to out yell them. Hundreds of times "Happy New Year" is yelled by the directors to those that have spent the night before on the street waiting to see the parade.

Since we have no one directly in front of us and no one directly behind us we are able to set our own pace and stop once in awhile to play for the crowd. Their appreciation is evident from the signs they hold up announcing a perfect 10! Finally we come to the corner at the end of Colorado Boulevard signaling about ½ to 1 mile is remaining. Feet are a little sore but the crowd is so happy to have us play that we ignore the pain and keep on entertaining.

As we go under the underpass we are greeted with signs of "we love the band" and we stop and play through the our tunes. The sound is big and strong and it encourages us to finish that last little bit of the parade with pride. As we turn the last corner we are still performing- knowing that the parade is about to come to an end. We stop- silence for a moment- Mr. Bellis announces the instructors are so proud and finally "at-ease". Hugs, tears, slaps on the back and expressions of satisfaction and relief are evident.

After dropping off the hats and instruments on the busses we are treated to what is surely the best hamburger in the world and fluids to drink. There is a chance to interact some with the Mexican band and to see some of the other groups that were ahead of us in the parade. Then we load the busses for the trip back to the hotel.

Upon arrival at the hotel, our parents and guests greet us at the back door with congratulations and cheering. Exhaustion takes over as we

make our way to our rooms so that we can turn on the television and watch "us" in the parade. As we appear on the screen- the screams and cheers take over the center of the hotel as students, staff and guests make their way out on the balcony to cheer . We Look GREAT! It is now that it sinks in- WE DID IT!

Later we have a pizza party and going away meeting. Tears flow as the staff shares their "experiences" and thanks. This group of students has

been a wonderful group to work with and they are going to be missed! Thanks also goes to the quality staff, chaperones, and parents. Without them- none of this would have been possible.

Finally, the last chance to share good times with new found friends arrives. A dance from 8-11 provides an outlet for excess energy. Some students choose to find a quiet place to just sit and talk- others shake it up on the dance floor. A good time is had by all.

January 2, 2004 Reality hits- it is time for this fairy tale to come to an end and that means saying at least a temporary good bye to new

close friends. This group has become quite attached and that means letting go is not easy. The weather has sensed this and added to the moment with pouring rain. One by one the busses load and prepare to leave, but not without lots of hugs, tears, address exchanging, preparations for reunions and thanks. It has been a good trip and many of the group are already hoping that they will form up again for the Presidential Inaugural Parade. Whether they do or not, each life of each person involved as been changed and the memories are there forever.

© Copyright David E. Bellis 2002