We left Camp Pendleton for the 1 hour drive back to Naval Weapons RV Park in Seal Beach for the purpose of seeing our Grandson Jack perform with the Round Rock HS Dragon Marching Band in the Rose Parade and Band Fest. Jack plays the Baritone Euphonium.
This is quite an honor to be selected as only 18 bands are chosen.
The band placed 4th at the Bands of America Grand Nationals in 2013 and their performance so impressed the president of the Tournament of Roses Association,that he invited them to perform for 2015.
So some 14 buses,400 members,staff and chaperones left Austin on the 27th of December for the 22 hour trip to Pasadena. Can you just imagine the logistics of housing,feeding etc so many?
30 December 2014
Today we met Christine, Dave and grandson Cameron for Band Fest featuring all the bands participating in the Parade as well as the Pasadena City College Band that opened the fest for today.
The Pasadena City College Band opened the Fest today with a WWII biplane flyover.
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| Pasadena City College Honor Band |
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| BiPlane Flyover |
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| With Grandson Cameron |
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| Dave and Christine |
The Band Fest runs for 2 days and The Dragons performance was today.
Their selections included "Arabian Nights","Polovetsian Dances" and "The Wind and the Lion". The performance was awesome and our first time to see the band perform. Great job "Dragons".
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| Grandson Jack |
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| Jack is 2nd over |
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| Dragon Band |
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| Dragon Band |
After the performance we went to Slater's 50/50 by design or otherwise known as "Excesstasy". The burgers are huge and lots of different choices. John got the Hawaiian with pineapple, bacon and spam and I got the grilled chicken with avocado. We met friends of Christine's and Dave's whose son is also in the band who joined us for lunch. They are renting a home with Chris and Dave in Pasadena.
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| Lunch at Slater's |
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| Christine,Dave & Cameron |
The drive back to campground was in bumper to bumper traffic and rain. An hour's drive took 2 hours.
We do have reserved seating for the Parade and it is suggested we park by 600AM. Since we will meet at the rental house, we will have to leave here around 400AM to allow for traffic. Have found the best way to Pasadena is 405 north, to 605 north to 210. This avoids 5 through LA.
We won't get to visit with Jack as the band schedule is very structured and they are staying near Orange County Airport.
Tonight we had very high winds and rain,but the day of Parade is supposed to be sunny and in the 40's. Not the California we were expecting. Also heard that there is snow on the El Cajon Pass on IH15 to LV. Hopefully it will clear before Saturday.
That is so exciting! Love marching bands and have always wanted to see the parade. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteJust watched your grandson's band! How exciting!
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