The United States Marine Corps Band based in New Orleans is slated to attend the 2023 Kewanee Hog Days Celebration.
Mark Mikenas, executive director of the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce, announced today that the band has confirmed its participation in Kewanee’s Hog Days celebration.
Mikenas said the band will march in the Hog Days Parade on Saturday and perform on the stage downtown.
Details are being worked out with the Marines and the chamber on transportation, lodging, meals and performance schedule. Their visit will include concerts featuring the Rock Band, Brass Band and of course their Ceremonial Band which will march in the parade and perform a patriotic concert on the main stage downtown.
“This is great news,” Mikenas said. “The military bands always are a great addition to an event.”
The chamber’s Ambassador Club has put on the parade for the Hog Festival Committee for decades and always tries to bring some of the best parade entries to the end-of-summer celebration, Mikenas said.
“The Ambassador Club is dedicating the Marine Band appearance in honor of Col. Gary Miller USMC (Ret) who passed away in April,” he said. “The Colonel was always ready, willing and able to help local organizations wherever he could and he had a can do no matter what attitude.”
“We are putting a plea out for donations to help defray the cost of the bands appearance which is quite sizable, as they will be here multiple days,” Mikenas said. “If any business or individual would like to help, please direct any donations to the chamber office at 113 E. Second St.”
The parade is Saturday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m. and entry forms for participants can be obtained at the chamber office or online at www.kewanee-il.com (lick on the parade tab).
