Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Today, the band participated in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Baltimore. Compared to previous years, the weather was quite nice. We played "Whiskey in the Jar" and the "Fight Song." The most challenging part for me this year, was that we were expected to memorize our music. I don't know about you, but I feel like my brain power isn't what it used to be.

This was my favorite of the four floats that I saw while waiting for the parade to start.

Fort McHenry Gig

At tonight's Pep Band gig, we went to Fort McHenry for the rededication of their new Visitor's Center. What made it extra special, was that today marked the 80th anniversary of the "Star Spangled Banner" being made our national anthem. I had never been to Fort McHenry before, so it was kind of cool. Before the ceremony, the flag that was flying when we got there was changed to the original Fort McHenry flag - with thirteen stars. It was huge!

There were re-enactors.

I especially enjoyed Fort McHenry's Drum and Fife Corps.

At the ceremony, they played the second runner-up for our national anthem, "O, Carolina."

And another cool part of the ceremony was this cake, made by the Ace of Cakes for the ocassion. Instead of cutting a ribbon to open the new visitor's center, the cannon on the cake shot it.

Then, one of the cannons at Fort McHenry fired twice. It was super loud, and the echo off of the buildings in Baltimore was really cool. The only unfortunate part to this whole thing, was that the band was unable to take a look inside the visitor's center, where the original "Star Spangled Banner" was on display.