Last Sunday, September 17, the Oakmont-Overlook Marching Spartans marched in the Gardner Centennial Parade. Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the city. Different groups of people such as politicians, vintage car owners, and even clowns came together to help celebrate this special day. The parade route was a mile and a half long starting at the Elm Street rotary, traveling through Central Street downtown, and ending at Waterford Street.

During the parade, the Marching Spartans played one of their personalized parade pieces, Spartans Forever Onward, written by Robert Bergeron. Once the Spartans finished the parade, they rode to Gardner High School. There they were able to watch Gardner’s marching band perform their half-time show, featuring songs from Stevie Wonder. After Gardner performed, the UMASS Amherst Minutemen Marching Band performed their pre-game show as well as their half-time show, which featured pieces from past UMASS half-time shows. 

The band got home around 5pm and were ready to get up the next morning for another full week of rehearsals, including the first Jazz Band rehearsal. The Marching Spartans are preparing for their first competition of the 2023-2024 season this Saturday in Medord!