2009 News Archive
Marines leading the charge in Founders Day Parade Dec. 5
Albany-based band 1 of 5 marching units in this year's event
10/30/2009
The third annual Johns Creek Founders Day Parade on Saturday, Dec. 5 will march down State Bridge Road to the beat of a U.S. Marine Corps Band, which will lead five musical marching units in the holiday-themed event celebrating the city's incorporation.
The Albany Marine Band formed in 1980, becoming one of only 12 bands throughout the Corps. Stationed at the Marine Corps Logistic Command in Albany, Ga., this band of 50 Marines travels throughout the United States and internationally to fulfill its mission as the Marine Corps' musical ambassadors.
The band provides music for military ceremonies, community celebrations, recruiting programs and official events. In 2009, they traveled more than 20,000 miles to perform in over 100 locations such as New York City at the Statue of Liberty and a Yankees game, Essex Junction, Vt., Springfield, Mass., and at New Orleans for Mardi Gras. The Albany Marine Band performed for more than 300,000 people nationwide.
With music as their primary mission, all Marine musicians in the band are selected by audition and must maintain a high level of instrumental proficiency. Additionally, with the Marine Corps tradition of "every Marine a rifleman," all Marines in the band are fully trained to fulfill their secondary mission of bearing arms in the defense of our nation.
The band's appearance is being sponsored by iXP Corp., the Cranbury, N.J.-based firm that operates the joint 911 Emergency Communications Center for Johns Creek and Sandy Springs. Joining the Albany Marine Band will be the marching bands from Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek and Northview high schools – and your neighborhood, school, community or other organization can still join them. Space is limited, so fill out a parade application and submit it by Nov. 13 to secure your spot.
The parade steps off at 10 a.m. and travels State Bridge Road from West Morton Road, ending at Ocee Elementary School at Kimball Bridge Road. Emmy Award-winning news anchor and Johns Creek resident Karyn Greer from WXIA 11Alive News will once again serve as emcee.
The day concludes with Santa at Newtown Park from 1 to 3 p.m. Children can visit with Old Saint Nick and pose for pictures (so parents, be sure to bring your cameras) and there will be plenty of other kids' activities, live entertainment and food available for purchase.
The Founders Day Parade culminates a weeklong celebration of the city's incorporation on Dec. 1, 2006. It begins with the lighting of holiday decorations at City Hall on Monday Nov. 30 and includes holiday book readings by the Mayor and City Council members, a children's holiday decoration-making event at Johns Creek Arts Center, a combined holiday card signing for the troops and Toys for Tots drive at City Hall, and a "holiday workshop" hosted by Emory Johns Creek Hospital. (See the Founders Day page for a complete listing of events and more information.)