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Wet weather fails to dampen spirits.
by Kamara Sams Holden –
Sarah Wild (l) and Meredith Flinn (r) carry The Salvation Army banner with Southern California Divisional Commander Major Paul Seiler marching beside Sarah. Photo by Nick Lee |
For the first time in 50 years, it rained on the Tournament of Roses Parade. But that didn’t stop The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band from marching the entire five and a half mile parade route and continuing their tradition as the longest-running band in Tournament of Roses Parade history.
The Salvation Army marched in its first Tournament of Roses Parade in 1920 and has marched every year the Tournament has held a parade.
This year, the Tournament of Roses Parade, themed “It’s Magical,” was held on Monday, January 2nd in observance of the Tournament of Roses “never on Sunday” tradition.
Under the musical direction of Southern California Divisional Bandmaster Kevin Larsson, the 200-member Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band was comprised of members from across the country and Canada; the majority of whom came from Eastern Michigan’s Youth Band and Southern California.
This year’s musical selections included, “Tournament of Roses 2000,” “Land of the Free,” “Novarc,” “Dover Court,” “Pioneers,” and “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.”
