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The band again has completed its annual July 4th parade and concert on Block Island.
This year the band did not have a bus so everyone had to make their own way to Point Judith RI. in order to get the 9:30 Ferry to Block Island
When we got Point Judith, it was hot and muggy with a thunder storm passing through. It looked like the day was going to be a wash out. The ferry left about 1/2 hour late and was packed. Standing room only. It was a good thing the ferry was late, three of our usually punctual (barely) band members arrived at 9:40 to catch the 9:30 ferry.
When we got to Block Island, the rain had cleared but it was still overcast and muggy. We did the usual stand around and wait for the bus to the parade starting area. We didn't fit on the first bus and had to wait for it to return. When the bus finally picked us up, it left us off in the wrong location and we had to walk to our starting position. No big deal since we would have had to stand around and wait anyway. We were starting about midway in the parade. The parade started about on time (1:00) with the usual confusion. In this case the float infront of us broke down and we had to go around them.
I can't remember exactly how many marches we played but it was around 7 to 10. With a large appreciative audience along the entire parade route, it was an enjoyable experience. I think there was only a hundred yards total in which there were no people watching. We finished up down main street playing Stars and Stripes, then proceeded to have lunch and set up for the concert.
The Band was sponsored by the Finn's restaurant. Immediately after the parade, they provided us with a lunch. Each of us was allowed to order anything we wanted from their take-out window.
Following the lunch we set up on the porch above the take-out area for the concert. This year they had the tables moved out so that there was room for an audence on the porch also. This was an improvement over years past when the audence was standing in the parking lot looking up to the band.
The concert started a little after 2:30 and at 3:10 Louis annnounced that he had to have the truck loaded and in line by 3:30. It was a short concert a and a quick run to the ferry.
An uneventful return ferry trip followed by a long ride home ended the day.
