Northridge High School band hosts dinner to raise money for Washington, D.C., trip

Staff report
·2 min read

The Northridge High School marching band will host a dinner in downtown Tuscaloosa this weekend to raise money for a trip to Washington, D.C.,  where the band is scheduled to perform in the Independence Day Parade.

The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church, 605 Lurleen Wallace Blvd. N. A Southern Bite, a Greensboro Avenue restaurant that specializes in down-home food, will cater the dinner. Musical entertainment will be provided by Bound and Determined, a local bluegrass band, and members of the Northridge High band.

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Tickets cost $50 and can be obtained by texting 205-242-5969.

The Northridge High band earned an invitation to perform in the Independence Day Parade and will represent the state of Alabama, according to a news release from Tuscaloosa City Schools.

Sep 20, 2022; Northport, AL, USA; The Northridge High School marching band performs during the Crimson Cavalcade of Bands at Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport. Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
Sep 20, 2022; Northport, AL, USA; The Northridge High School marching band performs during the Crimson Cavalcade of Bands at Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport. Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

“We have been fortunate to perform at a couple of bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl,” said John Cain, the band director. “This parade opportunity, however, is unique.  I am looking forward to my students being able to experience the big concert and fireworks show on the Washington Mall.”

The trip, scheduled for July 2-5, will cost about $1,000 per student for the 75-member Northridge High band.  Donations and deposits from students have raised about $55,000 for the trip so far.

“I knew this would be a financial burden on many of my students, so we created a fundraising committee who have worked tirelessly to help get us organized in our efforts,” Cain said.

Sep 20, 2022; Northport, AL, USA; The Northridge High School marching band performs during the Crimson Cavalcade of Bands at Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport. Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
Sep 20, 2022; Northport, AL, USA; The Northridge High School marching band performs during the Crimson Cavalcade of Bands at Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport. Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

“We are trying to raise another $15,000 to ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate,” he  said.

Another part of the fundraising effort for the D.C. trip involves selling ads in the program for the Northridge High band's spring concert. Businesses that are interested in buying an ad can call the Northridge High office at 205-759-3590 for more information.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Northridge High School band to perform in Independence Day Parade