The Fighting Beaver Band participated in the downtown Knoxville Christmas Parade on Friday, December 5. The parade included the color guard, the cheer team, the dance team, and the band. Everyone marched down Gay Street and Main Street. The band worked their beaver tails off to spread Christmas joy across downtown Knoxville.
The band members marched and were playing music the entire time. The path that the band was expecting to march down was altered due to a misunderstanding of where to turn. They turned right and thought they were done, but they kept marching and playing music. Many band members mentioned the surprise, but they kept going instead of stopping out of confusion. The route was Gay Street, a right turn to Jackson Avenue, and another right turn on to Florida Street. The band played the song “Joy to the World” the whole way through.
Several students had positive experiences participating in the parade. Lynn Christian, a senior who plays the bass drum, had unforgettable memories of her last band semester of the season. She had been photographed at events several times before, but the last time evokes more emotion.
“Walking by that news camera for the last time [was the most memorable part],” Christian said.
Gavin Ward, a senior who plays the baritone, had an experience that consisted of the path the band marched down changing, the weather being chilly, and seeing more people who were watching the event. There was one memory that stuck out to him the most.
“[The most memorable part was] probably walking past the Tennessee Theater,” Ward said.
Karley Jones is a senior who is a member of the color guard that participated in the downtown parade. She recalled the dance moves of the routine and the audience supporting them.
“Waving at the kids is really fun because they’re just so excited that you’re there,” Jones said.
Though playing instruments and marching for long periods of time in the cold is demanding, as mentioned by several band members, they still found joy in participating with their teams. As this was her last semester, Christian found rest in knowing that though she is leaving, the band will keep marching.
“It’s less formal than it looks, we’re having a lot of fun, it’s sad honestly but it’s good to know it’s moving on without you,” Christian said.
Marching down Gay Street was a perfect way to wrap up the Christmas season for the band. Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to perform during this busy time of year despite the challenges.
