The Hoquiam High School band from Washington State is preparing to hit the streets of Victoria, thanks to the generosity of their local community.
The high school marching band from Hoquiam, Wash., has been practicing for months for Monday’s Victoria Day Parade, and thanks to $45,000 raised by the small American town, they are ready to march in B.C.’s capital.
“We’re just so thankful for all the support from our community. We fundraised so much to be able to be here in order to perform,” said Tommy Catron, one of the drum majors for the band.
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About 8,700 people live in Hoquiam, southwest of Seattle. The funds raised are being used for travel expenses, such as ferry and accommodation costs.
Catron says he knows their whole community will be watching them march during the parade.
Robin Fabini is the other drum major, and he is also grateful that a small community like his can come together to support its musical endeavours.
“It’s just so exciting and just the fact that our community puts so much into the band is the reason that we are able to do this,” said Fabini.
When Fabini was asked what the most Canadian thing that happened to him while in Canada was, he laughed, saying, “Well, yesterday someone walked by and they said, ‘Sorry!’ It made me happy.”
For most of these high school students, it was their first time leaving the U.S.
The 124th annual Thrifty Foods Victoria Day parade will be held on May 20 at 9 a.m. It can be viewed for free on the CHEK+ app.
READ ALSO: ‘Very excited’: Floats being prepared for Victoria Day Parade this weekend
(CHEK News photo)
Tchadas Leo
