Photo courtesy of Chelsea Band Boosters.
The Chelsea High School band practices for Chelsea Day, scheduled for Oct. 1 at Chelsea City Hall.
The members of the Marching Hornet Pride Band at Chelsea High School love to play music and represent their community, but the privilege doesn’t come cheap.
“Most people do not realize that the schools are not able to furnish the instruments, uniforms and equipment for bands, or how much it costs to purchase these items,” said band booster President Jennifer Wilkinson. “It is up to the parents and the band boosters to help raise those funds so our children can perform at their best.”
This is the reason for the annual Chelsea Day fundraiser, where a silent auction and dozens of vendors help raise money for the band. The event will be at Chelsea City Hall on Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The marching band will perform throughout the day, as well as the Chelsea Middle School band and local school choirs.
“(Chelsea Day) showcases our band program and helps to bring our community together,” said event organizer Jon Curren.
Chelsea Day is a special event, because the performances make it “more than just a craft fair,” Wilkinson said.
However, the event’s key purpose is to help fund the band.
“We raise money to purchase instruments, our field show, equipment and transportation to and from games and competitions,” Wilkinson said, who notes the band’s uniforms alone cost more than $55,000.
The auction features all kind of themed baskets, such as entertainment, movie night and sports, and there are also gift cards, Disney tickets, home décor and more, Curren said.
The kids in the band always enjoy Chelsea Day, at least in part because they are able to reach a new audience, Wilkinson said.
“Not everyone is able to see and hear them at football games or to travel to band competitions to see them perform, so they enjoy reaching more people with their music,” she said.
Organizers hope to attract as many as 70 vendors. Those interested can contact chelseahighband2012@gmail.com.
For more information, go to chelseaband.weebly.com or to the Chelsea High School Band Boosters Facebook page.
