The 91st annual Veterans Day Parade will take place in downtown Fresno starting at 11 a.m., Nov. 11.

The event, which begins at Tulare and P Streets, will be televised locally by KSEE (Channel 24.1) and on the Web at ThePentagonChannel.mil. The parade ends at Chukchansi Park, and parking is free.

With a step-off scheduled for 11 a.m., the marching band, accompanied by the color guard team and cheer squad, will once again participate in the parade. Elementary, junior high and high school band members will march in one group.

Music director Michael Ogdon is confident that the groups will enjoy their time despite the marching distance.

“We are marching from City Hall to Chukchansi Park,” Ogdon said. “The kids usually complain about the distance, because it sounds really long. But it always ends up being tons of fun.”

Under the theme of “Saints Battle Onward,” the band will play three songs: “Onward Christian Soldiers,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The songs were arranged by Ogdon.

“The songs I chose resemble the feelings of the people and soldiers in a time of war,” Ogdon said. “The men and women that served in our wars really appreciate what we do.”

According to senior Jessica Massie, the color guard members anticipate this opportunity to showcase their work.

“We have a certain routine that belongs to the music,” Massie said. “We are really excited because it gives us a chance to perform to a large crowd.”

Fresno’s parade is billed as the largest Veterans Day parade on the West Coast, according to the Fresno Bee. This year’s honoree is the U.S. Marine Corps.

For more information, read the Nov. 16 article, Bands unite for 90th Veterans Day Parade, or e-mail Ogdon.

Tweet

(A video of the marching band’s performance in the 46th annual Selma Rotary Marching Band Festival, Oct. 30.)