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PHS Marching Band Celebrating Anniversary

By PAM BRUST

pbrust@newsandsentinel.com

PARKERSBURG – The Parkersburg High School Big Red Band is celebrating its 90th anniversary in a big way.

Saturday’s plans include an all-class reunion, a party, a raffle and a float in the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival Parade, organizer and band alumnus Dena Leasure DiRocco said.

“We are reaching out to all alumni, to invite former band members to come,” DiRocco said.

A member of the class of 1987, she was a member for three years when the band was under directors Kent and Felice Jorgeson.

“The feedback we are getting from the alumni has been very positive. Everyone is looking forward to celebrating this amazing milestone of the Big Red Band,” she said.

Big Red Band alumni will be in the Parkersburg Homecoming parade on Saturday. A float will be constructed, she said.

“We are building a float so alumni that may not be able to walk the distance may ride if they choose. We welcome any former band member who would like to participate,” DiRocco said.

The party and reunion starts 6 p.m. the same day in the band room at PHS. All Big Red Band alumni are invited.

“We are asking that they bring a covered dish to share as well as photographs and memorabilia,” she said. “To raise money for the event we are taking donations.”

Roger Blackburn, a 1963 PHS graduate who is writing a book about the early years of the band, will speak.

Contributions to the reunion celebration can be made at gofundme.com/Big-Red-Band-Reunion.

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