Fairhope Marching Band may not march in Cherry Blossom Parade

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WALA) - The students in the band at Fairhope High School were invited to march in the annual Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington D.C. They have been fundraising all over Baldwin County since last summer, raising the $85,000 necessary to fund the trip.

Wednesday, more than 100 rolling suitcases, 100 instruments, and 100 band members packed three coach buses heading for D.C. The plan is to sight see in the city and perform in the parade Saturday morning; at least that's the plan as of Wednesday. If Republicans and Democrats can't reach an agreement on the 2011 federal budget, the federally sponsored parade will most likely be canceled.

Senior Cole Zarichor plays on the drum line.

"You know, it's out of our hands. There is really nothing we can do to control it. They have to do what they have to do, we are still getting to go to D.C. The experience wouldn't be the same if we didn't get to march in the parade, but it is still going to be an experience," Zarichor told FOX10.

Band members have been practicing and working towards this opportunity for months.

"I know we'll have fun no matter what, but we we'll be really upset if we don't get to march in the parade," band president and senior player Kacey Miller said.

The band is trying to build up its resume in order to get an invitation to the Macy's Day Parade in New York City. They have applied for the Macy's Day parade annually, but have been told they needed to build their resume. That was another major reason the group was traveling to D.C.

Miller added the group just wants to do what they best, and that is marching.

"Well, that's the whole reason we are going, so that is really important to us and especially since this is my senior year this is my last trip," Miller said.

Band Director Will Duncan has been in contact with parade organizers in D.C.

"The Cherry Blossom people have put out an official press release saying they are working on it basically saying they are going to make it... I guess provide alternate activities, and so we'll just have to se hopefully it won't come to that but we want to perform and we are going to be disappointed not to," he said.

Duncan said if the Fed shuts down, that would also ruin their four-day itinerary.

"And the other problem is some of the monuments and things we were going to go tour while we are up there are going to be closed after the shut down, so that will obviously affect our itinerary and what we do and where we go," Duncan said.

The principal and band director said they would not be refunded any of the $85,000 if the students don't get to march in the parade. The group doesn't expect to get a verdict on whether they'll march or not until late Thursday.