The marching band marched through downtown Grand Haven on Thursday night in an event called The Pop Up parade. At 6:30 p.m. they marched down Washington St., stopping at both the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium and Tip-A-Few tavern for short performances.

With the help of City Manager Pat McGinnis, Health Department and Department of Public safety, the marching band was able to perform in the unusually late first performance of the year.

Due to COVID-19, the marching band has not been able to perform yet this year. Normally they would perform in the Memorial Day parade, Coast Guard parade and at home football games, but until recently, that hasn’t been possible. 

“I looked up to that (the Coast Guard parade) for such a long time” senior drumline member Mason Milligan said. “Last year I didn’t really think I’d be done (with the season) this year (at) this time, but I am. And personally, I’ve gotten okay with it. I understand that we have to do certain things a different way and that’s how life goes, sometimes it doesn’t go as planned.”

For everyone, the event provided a sense of routine in a time where routine has been disturbed. The band is extremely grateful that this new event was made possible and that the community came out to show it’s support. 

“I think the community has a really strong (connection) with the band. They really like to hear the band like it’s a part of the town” Milligan said. “I think it provided a sense of almost normalcy (to the) community. And, it kind of just filled in the gap from what we couldn’t get before.”