Going retro: The Band-o-rama returns
During Band-o-rama each band show was unique, enjoyable and energizing. Toes tapped, heads bobbed and people clapped along with the music.
The grandstand was the place to be on Tuesday night at the Tuscarawas County Fair for the return of the Band-o-rama. A beautiful, warm night greeted the six area bands that performed: Claymont, Dover, Garaway, New Philadelphia, Tusky Valley and Indian Valley.
The event was hosted by Gary Petricola. “I’ve been a longtime proponent of music education in schools. The Band-o-rama is a great way to showcase the bands of the area,” he said.
Each band also brought along their own show announcer. The shows were performed concert style with the bands lining up in front of the grandstand for their performance.
The event had special meaning for fair board member Dan Widder, whose late father Doran Widder was in charge of the Band-o-ramas held in the past.
“It’s something my father always looked forward to, and we feel he’s smiling up in heaven today watching this,” Widder said. “He spent a lot time on it. He used to mark out the lines. He also had numbers made that looked like those on a football field."
Tuesday is the night the Band-o-rama was traditionally held. The show began at 6 p.m. to allow time for all the bands to perform and for the band members to have a little time to explore the fair.
Each band show was different from the others, enjoyable and energizing. Toes tapped, heads bobbed and people clapped along with the music. Children danced in the aisles, only stopping occasionally to get a better look at the performers.
Each band that performed was awarded $500. “Every band will put that money to good use,” Tusky Valley Superintendent Mark Murphy said. “The Tusky Valley band is going to Disney World in spring 2019, so the money will come in handy. It was nice to bring this back and that the fair board extended an invitation to the bands.”
Murphy’s son Aaron, 12, enjoyed the show from his seat in the grandstand as he drummed along to each song. “It was awesome. I loved the Tusky Valley band, and my cousin is in the Dover band too,” said Aaron Murphy, who is a percussionist.
His sister plays the trumpet, so those are the two instruments he enjoys most. “They all played great. It was all really good,” he said.
The participants enjoyed it as much as the audience. “It’s really nice, especially for the grandparents who remember going to it in the past,” said Isaac Vogel, a senior at Indian Valley High School who plays a baritone saxophone.
There was one thing Vogel enjoyed most. “It’s nice to be able to socialize with the other bands,” he said. “At band shows we are so busy practicing that we don’t have time to socialize. I’m really happy that they brought it back, and I’d like to thank them for that.”
The show was sponsored by WJER, and many area businesses contributed including McInturf Realty, Wendy’s, Buckeye Career Center, Geib Funeral Homes, Dan’s Wholesale Carpet & Flooring, Subway, DoverPhila Credit Union, Carpenter Heating and Cooling, Wood Electric, Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital, Wood’s Tall Timbers Resort, RMR Development, NSD Designs, and Kent State Tuscarawas.
Each band member received a complimentary Band-o-rama T-shirt.
Amy Smith of WJER said, “It was a beautiful night. The grandstand was full, and the kids got to perform for the whole county.”
Smith reported that many people stopped by the WJER table to ask if the Band-o-rama would continue next year. “We will have it again next year. If the fair board is willing, so are we," she said.