Dr. and Mrs. Miller (far right) present the Tournament of Roses flag to Downingtown East drum majors Alison Booth, Lauren Phonnathong, Downingtown West drum major Priscilla Raj, East band director, Andrew German, West drum majors, Kylie Cogill and Sarah Ellis and West band director, Ed Otto. Credit: Jerome Photography of Chester Springs.
DOWNINGTOWN — 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 January 1, 2022.
The Millers arrived in the nick of time to lead the band in the New Holland Spectacle of Bands Parade, where Downingtown was the honor band. After the parade, they enjoyed three jam-packed 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 Saturday, October 2, the Millers were guests of honor during The Cavalcade of Bands at Kottmeyer Stadium. Dr. 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, their formal invitation to participate in 2022 parade.
The Downingtown Music Parents Association Tournament of Roses Committee also treated the Millers to some local flavor with behind-the-scenes tours of Victory Brewing Company and Longwood Gardens.
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 scheduled for January 1, 2021. Due to the pandemic, the in-person event was cancelled.
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 estimated total cost of the Blue and Gold Band’s participation in the 2022 Rose Parade is over $900,000. To make a direct donation to help the band fund their trip, visit www.DASD.org/dasdgoesrose.
