There’s no one committed to their craft in quite the same way as a high school marching band member.
Who else spends their Saturday morning unpacking a sousaphone, a ridiculously-sized brass instrument, in a Target parking lot? What kind of kid gets home at midnight after doing one parade, then turns around at 8:30 a.m. to prepare for another?
Then there’s the special case of Cherry Fowke, a 17-year-old oboe and saxophone player who wasn’t going to let a broken leg stop her from “marching” in the 55th annual Hazel Dell Parade of Bands.
“I think it might be a personal drive,” the Columbia River High School junior said from her wheelchair.
Thousands of spectators lined the route of the Hazel Dell parade, a time-honored tradition that draws nearly 30 local marching bands, more than 100 entries and floats, and an inconceivable amount of candy to be flung at excited kids.
It’s a staple of Clark County history and culture, and a key date on the high school marching band calendar.
“We’ve done it for years,” said Dave Keckes-Chartrey, band director at Columbia River.
Columbia River’s group of students returned from Seattle’s Norwegian Constitution Day celebration, Syttende Mai, at about midnight Friday before donning their marching gear again for the Hazel Dell parade. Fowke shrugs at the short turnaround.
“I think, personally, when I start something I should finish it,” said Fowke, who played the trumpet in both parades. It’s easier to play in a wheelchair than a woodwind instrument, but she isn’t actually an expert on the high brass instrument.
“It’s easy,” she said. (She’s right — take it from this friendly neighborhood reporter who played the trumpet for six years.)
Still, it’s a lot of work to be in high school band.
“It’s harder than people think,” said 16-year-old Stephanie Paike, a sophomore alto saxophone player in Skyview High School’s band. “It’s a commitment to do concerts and marching and traveling.”
“We’re dedicated,” added Ellie Sarchi, a 16-year-old clarinet player in the Columbia River High School band. She and Paike played together in middle school before splitting off to separate high schools.
Sarchi added that this community parade is one of her favorites.
“It’s like you’re watching your family in a way,” she said. “It brings everyone together.”
For the Ensey family, it’s a sentiment and sacrifice much appreciated.
“(The parade) makes me cry every year,” said Melissa Ensey, whose two-month-old, Jack, was strapped to her chest. Her husband, Tim, watched as their children Eli, 8, Sienna, 6 and Raina, 4, danced and cheered along with the parade.
“I just love that there’s still events that bring the community out for nothing other than the reason of celebrating music and being together,” Ensey said.
