GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – For the third time in 11 years, Pulaski High School’s marching band will be smelling roses.
The Red Raiders leave Wednesday morning to perform in the 128th Rose Parade for the Rose Bowl.
The band was one of 10 high schools selected to play in The Rose Parade, and the only one from the Midwest region.
Band Director Tom Busch spoke to WLUK.
“We found out in September, over a year and half ago. At that point, we decided we’re going to take on as many parades during the summer as possible.”
About 15 parades later, the Red Raiders have just one full rehearsal day remaining to make sure they are ready.
“We don’t have that much time to practice our turn that we’re going to be doing on what they call TV corner in Pasadena, so we practice out here,” said Grant Parr, a junior in the band.
A gym wouldn’t be big enough for the 110 degree turn, so instead, the band braves the cold in the empty parking lot next to Stadium View Bar and Grill.
The dedication is one of the reasons band members like Brooke Linzmeier believe the band is consistently invited back to the Rose Bowl.
“There is just a lot of passion for marching band here”
“We put in a lot of work, but it’s worth it and we just love it,” said Parr.
They love it so much that they asked the band’s director to march two straight hours outside to prepare for the parade’s 5 1/2-mile route.
“I think everyone else here is just really excited to get out there and enjoy some warmer weather and do what we love all together,” said Linzmeier.
The Pulaski band is scheduled to appear 68th out of 94 parade participants. It is performing three songs: ‘This is My Country’, ‘On Wisconsin’, and ‘Show Me How You Burlesque.’
The school’s music boosters fundraised about $160,000 to cover the band’s travel expenses. Each band member is responsible for hotel and meal costs.
