The ParadeS Update - THE FINAL WEEKLY UPDATE!
YOU'VE MADE IT TO THE FINAL WEEKLY UPDATE OF THE SEASON!!!
Congratulations everyone. If there is any challenge that we should take pride in pushing through this season, it's reading all of the words I have typed.
This past Friday was a totally unforgettable once in a lifetime experience. I hope everyone has enjoyed being a celebrity! We had such a great time at 6ABC's studio and I'm super thankful for the incredibly hospitable and generous experience they provided us. Members, you all did an incredible job recognizing the situation at hand and acting with top tier professionality and focus. You represented Kingsway so well and SO MANY PEOPLE are proud of you for that, with me at the top of that list!
I'm still waiting to receive files of all of the clips aired of our live performance, but potentially even cooler than that, here is the story that aired on Action News at 4 and 6. Save that link for forever!
THIS UPDATE CONTAINS ALL REMAINING SCHEDULES FOR THE 2023 SEASON. Time to finish strong - parade season is a celebration of all the work we've put in this year!
Here are some videos of our past parade TV air time for a trip down memory lane.
2021 Thanksgiving Parade TV Coverage
2022 Thanksgiving Parade TV Coverage
2022 Philly Holiday Parade TV Coverage
The fine print: The Philadelphia parade committee and 6ABC make no promise that each element of the parade will be granted air time. Every effort is made to include all entries of the parade on TV as well as in the live stream, but this is not always possible with live television (an actual lawyer prepared that statement)
This Week's and Next Week's Schedule
Tuesday, 11/21: after school rehearsal, 6:15 pickup
*LUGGAGE DROP OFF: 6:15-6:30 PM
Wednesday, 11/22: Half Day of School, Dave & Busters, Hotel
HS Dismissed at 11:59, MS Dismissed at 12:09
*LUGGAGE DROP OFF #2: 3-4 PM
12:30 PM - Pizza Provided for lunch - stay on campus
1:30 - 3:00 PM - Parade Rehearsal
3:15 PM - Pack Equipment - Check Uniforms/Garment Bags
4:00 PM - Load Buses (4)
4:30 PM - Depart for Dave & Buster’s
5:30 PM - Dave & Buster’s Dinner and Arcade time - game card PROVIDED, extra cash recommended
7:30 PM - Load Buses and travel to hotel
8:00 PM - Check into Sheraton - Center City
10:00 PM - Room Checks
10:30 PM - please sleep!
Thursday, 11/23: Thanksgiving Parade Day! 8:15 step off - we are at the beginning of the parade this year, ELEMENT #10!
*Visit website for parade info, including parade route (Ben Franklin Parkway): https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/events/philadelphia-thanksgiving-day-parade/
5:00 AM - RISE N SHINE!
5:30 - 6:15 AM - Breakfast Buffet in Hotel (provided)
6:00 AM - Check Out begins
6:40 AM - In Seats!
6:50 AM - Buses depart for Parade Assembly Area!
7:15 AM - Unload buses and line-up/warmup
7:30 AM - Band in position for parade!
8:15am - Parade Steps Off!
Parade ends behind the Art Museum and our buses will be on Sedgley Drive.
Any parents picking up students should be ready to pick-up students quickly!
12:00 PM - Estimated student pick-up time at Kingsway HS!
Saturday, 11/25: Swedesboro Christmas Parade, 1pm step-off
11:00 AM - Report, Dress into full uniform & decorate instruments
11:45 AM - Load Buses (3) and depart (no garment bags on buses)
1:00 PM - Parade Steps Off - we are the last element of the parade before Santa!
2:30 PM - Parent Pick-up
Saturday, 12/2: Philadelphia Holiday Parade - 5pm step-off - we are early in the parade this year, ELEMENT #20!
*Visit Website for parade info, including parade route (Market Street): https://phillyholidays.com/holiday-parade/
1:45 PM - decorate equipment/dress - Night Parade! We will have string lights for all band members/staff to wear! Members should bring a Santa Hat for the parade
2:30 PM - load buses/depart
5:00 PM - Step-off
6:30 PM - anticipate leaving Philadelphia for NJ
7:30 PM - Estimated Parent Pick-up Time
Sunday, 12/3: Secret Santa & Logan Holiday Parade/Tree Lighting - 5 PM step off
1:30 PM - Secret Santa Party in HS Cafeteria
3:15 PM - Dress (no garment bags on buses)
3:30 PM - load buses/depart
5:00 PM - Parade Steps Off - Band plays for tree lighting at end of parade
6:15 PM- anticipate departing for Kingsway
7:00 PM - Estimated Parent Pick-up Time
Thanksgiving Luggage Note
Luggage drop offs will occur Tuesday night after rehearsal and Wednesday from 3-4 PM.
Please note that space is limited on the bus - try to cut down on the size of the bags you choose for your luggage and the amount of things you bring. We are only staying over for one night! (like 7 hours!) Pack efficiently!
If you have any snack preferences/specific dietary needs for when you are in your room, make sure to bring these with you!
Hotel Rooming Update
The management at the Sheraton informed me that the hotel is running low on rooms with two double beds and many of our rooms needed to be swapped out for one singular king bed instead. This results in many of our groups of four roommates being split in half with two to a room. I will provide details to students tomorrow on the rooms that are effected.
Nationals Pictures
Check them out here!
Professional shots from nationals are up! There are some awesome action shots, head shots, and the official full band picture in here. These make great gifts for the holidays.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2023-2024 MARCHING ARTS BANQUET - 5/11/24 AT SCARPINATO'S CUCINA AND CATERING IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP! More details to come at a later date!
Indoor Information
All information for Indoor Percussion/Color Guard sign ups was provided in the previous update - click here to read!
That's gonna be about it everyone. A part of me is going to miss making these updates for a little while. This season has been the ride of a lifetime and I'm so thankful that you've all been here for it. I will never forget this year and I know you won't either! Take what you've learned and go out into the world and change lives for the better. You know what to do, now go do it.
-Massaro
