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Boardman band off to Indy 500
The parade will air from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday on Versus TV.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
Boardman Marching Band
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The Boardman Marching Band will be playing at the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, this weekend.
BOARDMAN — Ladies and gentlemen, start your instruments.
Boardman Spartan Marching Band members leave Thursday morning to participate in the Indianapolis 500 race festivities.
“We were asked to participate,” said Thomas Ruggieri, director of bands. “Bowl Games of America, which is coordinating the bands, has worked with us before and knows our reputation for organization and discipline.”
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Boardman director of bands Thomas Ruggieri moves the band members into position as they will stand in position to "script out 100."
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TILT AND PLAY: Trevor Bunevich a senior dips the tuba as the band practices. The Boardman High School Band has been invited to play for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Band members will march in Saturday’s 500 Festival Parade through downtown Indianapolis and also form a block of 1-0-0 to mark the 100th anniversary of Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the opening ceremony.
Seniors Derek Highan, 18, a trombone player; trumpeters Josh Prest, 17, and Chloe Zidian, 18; and majorette Taylor Deley, 17; are looking forward to the trip. They’ve all been in band through high school.
“I’ve never been to a race before,” Chloe said.
Band members will travel first to Chicago before heading to Indianapolis for the weekend festivities, Josh said.
Taylor looks forward to a weekend with her friends, but she’s anxious to see the race and perform in the parade, too.
Students also will be part of the parade opening, handling patriotic props while country music singer Rodney Atkins sings “It’s America” and Miss America Katie Stam sings “God Bless America.”
The parade will be rebroadcast from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday on Versus television and the race will air Sunday on ABC.
The opening and parade will be seen by more than 300,000 spectators along the parade route and on Indianapolis television.
Band members will return late Sunday in time to participate in Monday’s Memorial Day Parade back home. That’s when eighth graders who want to be part of the high school band next year get a crash course in marching.
The race is the world’s largest single sporting event and this marks the band’s first time participating. About 350,000 people attend the race annually.
The band spent the last weeks practicing for the big event, looping around the school building to prepare.
“We’re counting on each and every one of you to do absolutely everything correctly,” Ruggieri said.
A banner held by two band members announces the band’s name and hometown and leads off the group of swaying horns and drums.
During the parade opening, celebrities including a handful of drivers will be in close proximity to the students.
“Unfortunately, Danica Patrick is nowhere near us,” the director said to a chorus of “Aww” from the band’s male members.
“But you may see her,” Ruggieri added.
denise_dick@vindy.com