Whenever we're not out of the state—or the country—on July 4, our favorite way to celebrate Independence Day is marching with the Greater Geneva Grande Award Marching Band. That's Geneva, Florida, population 2,940 give or take a few, not the larger and more famous Swiss version. I can't complain about missing the parade this year, as we instead spent the day with family and friends, some of whom had flown all the way from Switzerland (not Geneva) or the Gambia (think West Africa) to be there!
But if we had not been in such illustrious company and more than a thousand miles from home, we'd have been with our GGGAMB family. Camaraderie, music (and then some), free hot dogs, all the water you can drink (and sweat away), the fun of interacting with the crowd, and my all-time favorite arrangement of the Star-Spangled Banner (we miss you, Greg!), all wrapped up in a pleasant mix of old American patriotism and new American diversity.
I've written about the event before (for example, last year), but this time I have videos! We're not in them, but you'll get the idea well enough.
The band plays All Hail, Geneva! with our trademark Union Break in the middle.
If that experience didn't make you run from the room screaming, you can find more from the band here. (Janet, I recommend you click on that link and scroll to the bottom of the page.)
Richard, you did a great job with the cymbals, but I'm coming back anyway.
