Downingtown Blue And Gold Marching Band Heading To Pasadena, Raising Travel Money

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — After a series of visits in recent weeks to hear Downingtown Area School District bands making their music, the Tournament of Roses has invited the Blue and Gold Marching Band to play Jan. 1 at the 133rd Rose Parade in California.

The band is working right now to raise the $900,000 it needs to send the whole band there for a week.

This is the third time that Downingtown has participated in the Rose Parade; previous appearances were in 2001 and 2011. The band was originally scheduled to participate in the 132nd parade in January 2021. Due to the pandemic, the in-person event was canceled.

Dr. Bob Miller, president of the Tournament of Roses Association, and his wife, Barbara, recently spent time with the Downingtown Blue and Gold Marching Band as they reach the home stretch of fundraising for their upcoming trip to the 133rd Rose Parade presented by Honda on Jan. 1, 2022.

The Millers arrived to lead the band in the New Holland Spectacle of Bands Parade, where Downingtown was the honor band. After the parade, the pair spent several days visiting Downingtown Area School District administration, touring Downingtown East, West, and STEM high schools, meeting students and parents during rehearsals, and watching both bands perform during their respective school’s football games.

On Oct. 2 the Millers were guests of honor during The Calvacade of Bands at Kottmeyer Stadium. Bob Miller presented East band director, Andrew German, West band director, Ed Otto and the drum majors from both bands with the Tournament of Roses flag in a formal invitation to participate in 2022 parade.

Band and color guard students have performed more than 3,700 hours of community service leading up to their trip. Downingtown was the first band in Rose Parade history to integrate community service into their fundraising efforts in 2011, the School District said.

The estimated total cost of the Blue and Gold Band’s participation in the 2022 Rose Parade is over $900,000 to send the more than 300-member combine band, staff, and chaperones as well as equipment.

The fundraising committee explained its goal is to raise enough money to significantly reduce the individual cost for all students going on the trip. To make a direct donation to help the band fund their trip, go here.

Make sure you know what's happening in your town. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss any local news: https://patch.com/subscribe.