Dan and I were honored to represent Lincoln High School Marching band parents as the LHS band reps for the 23rd Annual Festival of Bands at Howard Wood Field Finals this past Saturday. We certainly couldn’t have asked for better weather – the winds were calm – the sun was out and the bugs weren’t – a welcome change from the past week.
We had over 100 generous Lincoln band parents work part or all of the evening – many of whom return year after year, and LOTS of first-time band parents who simply signed up, or said yes to a telephone call and have already told us they’d be back next to year. A special thanks to our chairpersons: Nancy Harsch – Aisle Monitors; Joel Nevin – Band/Gate Marshals; Dennis Kaufman – Judge’s Assistants/Runners; Parking/Traffic Control – Tom Stritecky; Registration – Deb Marks; Water Stations – Lisa Stotz; Becky Stritecky – Wristband, Program & Button Sales. Thank you for stepping up to the plate and helping guide the evening events so smoothly. And Leon Olson who helped from early in the morning with set up to late at night with clean up. Your flexibility and willingness to go above and beyond when asked truly is appreciated.
We also heard throughout the evening from numerous bands that our marching band festival is always their favorite to attend – it’s very well run, organized, and everyone is so pleasant to work with. And congratulations to Jim & Sue McAdaragh, former Lincoln Band Parents, who received the prestigious Friends of the Festival Award, given each year to someone who goes above and beyond in their service and commitment to keeping Festival of Bands one of the most honored marching band competitions in the region.
Our appreciation also goes out to the Lincoln band parents and fans who sat on the east or west sides of the grandstands freeing up the coveted center seats for the competing bands’ parents and fans. Please remember this at future Festival of Bands events, and be sure to let your friends/family who attend our festival to give the prime seats to those who are here to watch their band perform in our stadium.
We are proud to be part of something so well represented in the community year after year and wanted each of you to know how much we value the role you played in helping Lincoln band’s evening responsibilities run smoothly.
Dan & Joan Westphalen
LHS Band Representatives
Festival of Bands Central Committee
