The Sippican School Band Blast has come a long way from its roots as a party at the bandstand. On Thursday, June 14, hundreds of people attended the 11th annual Band Blast, to have fun and help raise money for the bands at Sippican School.
The party was held out on the front lawn of the school, under bright, warm skies. Those in attendance purchased tickets, which could be redeemed for food, lawn games, a bounce house, a mechanical bull ride, among some of the fun activities there.
“We’ve been doing it here for about eight or nine years,” said band director and lead organizer Hannah Moore. “The bar just keeps getting higher. It’s a wonderful community to work in.”
But the Band Blast wouldn’t be possible without its many volunteers from that community she loves.
“It started with just hamburgers and hot dogs and now it’s blossomed into this. We must have over 80 volunteers this year helping out. It’s amazing,” Moore said.
“I love it. It’s a real grass roots effort and shows the hometown spirit,” said volunteer Kimberly Owens, who has three children in Sippican School, two of which are in the band. She helped execute the set-up before the event began.
The volunteers that lend a hand aren’t all parents, either.
“You’d be surprised how many students come back to help,” said Marion School Committee member and Sippican student mother, Christine Winters. “It’s a great night. It’s quintessential Marion. The families come out, we all have fun. Tonight is one of the reasons why we live here.”
Ron Auld of the Marion Fire Department also donated his time to see that the Band Blast went off without a hitch. He fills the dunk tank every year and has a fourth grader in the band.
“I like it because I want to see the kids have fun and keep the band going,” he said.
The Band Blast is the main fundraiser for the Sippican School bands. The money raised helps pay for students to participate in music festivals, reeds, valve oil, and the expense of maintaining 60 instruments for students to play. According to Moore, last year about 700 people came to the Band Blast and they cleared $8,000.
“We love seeing as many people as possible. It keeps it happy. This is wicked cool,” Moore said.
By Eric Tripoli
