The Lancers marching band performs in a past parade.
Submitted photo
By Jenn Willhite
For The (Edinburgh) Courier
The Republic
EDINBURGH — Going back where it began, the Edinburgh Community High School marching band is a staple feature of the annual fall festival parade.
But this year is different.
The ECHS Marching Band is the parade’s grand marshal.
The band is leading up the fall festival parade beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, starting at the High School Sports Complex and flowing through town to its own beat with the parade ending at East Side Elementary School, organizers say.
With this year’s festival theme “Music through the Ages,” it only made sense that the band be recognized as grand marshal, says Julie Cox, member of Beta Sigma Phi and parade organizer.
Offered by the Lion’s Club and coordinated by Beta Sigma Phi, 2025’s fall festival parade will be one for the memory books, Cox teases.
“We wanted to go with the band,” Cox, a former band member, says. “We thought it would be fun.”
The current 91-member band program is divided into approximately 30 students per band, says Peyton Coar, Edinburgh Community MS/HS band director, with a relatively fair representation from each of the grades, from freshmen through seniors.
“These are all fantastic, hard-working students that I am grateful to have the opportunity to teach,” Coar says. “It’s absolutely an honor and we are excited to be recognized as the grand marshal for this year’s fall festival.”
Although surprised, it did make sense, Coar adds.
Since she began her career here as band director in 2016, Coar has taken the program to new heights, Cox says.
“Peyton is amazing, and since she’s been there, she’s brought a lot to the band’s growth,” Cox says. “We thought they should be at the center of attention.”
Excited for the opportunity to showcase their talent, good times never seemed so good as the students work hard on their upcoming performance with daily in-class and after-school gatherings for practice.
The band’s community involvement over the years hasn’t been limited to just the fall festival, Cox and Coar say, as the band is a regular feature at football and basketball games, the annual Veterans Program, competitions, and participation in various honor bands.
“I feel like our band program continues to have a very positive impact on our community,” Coar says. “I am grateful that our concerts are always standing room only.
“All the support for our students is amazing.”
Generally speaking, the school song – beloved by the community and a key element to their annual parade appearance – is a guarantee for the band’s anticipated performance, Coar says.
However, the band – who for the first time will be accompanied by the school choir – has a little something special planned for parade spectators, Coar says.
In fact, within the text of this story are a few clues for the keen eye requested by the band director as a hint of what the surprise performance could be.
Though there’s no reason to believe they never would, the band is getting the spotlight it so deserves.
“I’ve been told a lot by our very supportive administration that our band program is truly special,” Coar says. “I am so grateful that these deserving kids will be recognized at this coming Fall Festival.”
IF YOU GO
Edinburgh Fall Festival schedule
Wednesday
Bracelet night, 5-10 p.m.
Four on the Floor concert, 7-9 p.m.
Thursday
Bracelet night, 5-10 p.m.
Lions Club Dinner, 4-7 p.m.
Baby contest, 6 p.m.
Friday
American Legion fish fry, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Lonesome Bluegrass concert, 7-10 p.m.
Saturday
Parade, 11 a.m.
Prince & Princess contest, after the parade
Lions Club lunch, 11:30 a.m.
Joe Hess & The Wandering Cowboys concert, 7-10 p.m.
By Jenn Willhite — The (Edinburgh) Courier is a publication of the Daily Journal.
