TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay will be represented in Philadelphia for the Fourth of July.
The ‘Awesome Original Second Time Arounders’ Marching Band will march in Philadelphia’s “Salute to Independence Day” parade this weekend for America 250.
The band is made up of musicians of different ages and backgrounds, many whom played in school and now have a chance to perform again.
“We like to say our age ranges are 18 to 80 plus,” piccolo player Amanda Dinaro said. “Because we are all about performing second time around. If your first time around was in high school or college, we give you a chance to pick up your horn and dust it off and play again.”
The group is taking about 150 members, including baton twirlers, a color guard, and dancers. The band has been preparing for the performance since parade organizers invited the group two years ago, Director Stephen Cantin said.
“This is the big one,” Cantin said. “We knew we made the right decision to go and commit to this trip and parade and the band broke out to a huge applause.”
The group is also honoring its founder, Bill Findeison, who passed away earlier this year. Findeison led the band for more than 40 years. Members will wear patches in his honor during the trip.
“We just keep Bill’s standard of having fun,” Cantin said. “Just have fun.”
The band’s parade set includes music from “Les Misérables,” “Sweet Caroline” and patriotic songs like “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
“I love the feeling of the crowd,” Dinaro said of performing. “There’s nothing like it. So I’m very excited to perform. Especially with the historical significance of it.”
The Second Time Arounders’ trip is also sponsored by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, which will be represented on banners the band will display.
The Philadelphia parade is Friday, July 4. The band’s performance is airing live during coverage from noon to 4:00p.m. on C-SPAN.