Marching Band at Harvest Festival

Every year the marching band goes to an out of state competition. This year they went to the Harvest Festival in Yakima, WA. It happened to be the same day my little brother was having his baby shower. In the end we decided it would be best if Greg stayed and went to the baby shower and then hunting and I went to the competition.

I left at 6 o’clock in the morning and drove the 5 hours. I made it there early enough to go into the stadium and watch some of the band perform. There was a band there that had 199 people! It was huge and their show was awesome.

I left briefly to go get some lunch and then met up with my boss whos daughter also pays in the band and we located the band warming up. I took a few pictures of the band and then we headed back to the stadium for their show.

I sat by some CenTen parents for the performance – which was so good. It was the first time I got to see the whole thing and with the props. Sadly, my camera battery died only a few seconds into the show. I had an extra battery in my car but there was not time to go get it. I decided to pull out my phone and take a video instead. It’s missing the beginning but at least I got most of the show on video. I stayed around to watch the other bands and see if our band was going to make it to the finals round.

I was thrilled when I heard they had! That means they would perform again that evening. I decided to go check into my hotel and grab some quick dinner before heading back.

I got back to the stadium and it started to rain. It seemed to only be a small drizzle so I opted not to grab my umbrella. A few shows in it was really raining so I ran to my car to get my umbrella. It was pouring. The kids played in the rain and did really good. I think their second performance was even better.

After all the performances it was time to announce the winners. They did something called a band retreat. It’s a tradition in other places but I’d never seen it before. I loved it. Every single band member walks on the track, some in opposite directions. Then they all line up on the field and stay out there for the awards. It was pouring so our band had ponchos on.

It got over late I was soaking wet, cold and tired. I went right to my hotel, took a hot shower and went right to bed. My hotel was a bit ghetto. I think it was a place that rents by the week. I didn’t love it so as soon as I woke up I grabbed my stuff and hit the road to head back home.

While on the road I caught up to the buses. I called Jaelee and asked her what bus she was on. She told me the middle one so I sped up to be by it and waved. I could hear her on the phone telling the kids “that’s my mom!” it was fun. They were close to stopping for a lunch break and I just kept on driving. I was ready to be back home.

So glad I was able to make the trip and see the show. Other than the rain it was a lot of fun.

The drive there was pretty but some periods of fog which I don’t love driving in.