Washington, DC - After a long wintry bus ride from Smyrna to our nation's capitol, Smyrna's Stewarts Creek High School marching band, faculty members and chaperones made it safely to DC. The weather news is that it snowed Sunday in DC with accumulations varrying between 1-4 inches, most of the accumulation is near the Beltway. Temps were near 30-degrees when their big pink Gray Line coach pulled-up to the hotel.
Although we don't have it confirmed, it looks as if the Red Hawks band will be performing while they are in Washington. WGNS also does not know where the venue is located.
As noted in earlier stories, thanks to a $40,000 gift from Tractor Supply Company, Stewarts Creek achieved the $120,000 needed to secure transportation, hotel and other expenses. After everything was in place, the bitter cold arctic weather forecast for Monday (1/20/2025) forced cancellation of the inaugural parade. The entire ceremony was moved inside to the Rotunda at the U.S. capitol. When you have wind gusts in the 20-30 mph range and temperatures reach only 19-26 degrees, then you have weather that would be dangerous for parade spectators and persons actually participating.
Since reservations can not be cancelled at such late notice, it was decided that the students and their entourage would make the memorable trek to Washington.
The entire trip was an adventure that everyone will always remember. Stops along the way for food, snacks and just meandering around. One of the favorites seems to have been Buc-ee's. Once unpacked inside the DC hotel, the crowd started "Pizza palooza"!
There are so many people who have been working hard so that this dream for the Red Hawk students would not fade away. One is Playmaker Pics by Jeff, who is video documenting this trip. In future news stories on WGNS, we will list those who have been "pulling strings" to make things happen. To all of you--THANK YOU!
