By Lisa Weatherwax
Contributing Writer

NICEVILLE, FLORIDA - It’s the parade to beat all parades, and Niceville will be there.

The Niceville High School Eagle Pride Marching Band will be one of 21 bands, four of them international, to perform on the famous five-mile stretch along Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard Jan. 1, 2008, as the world watches. They will put this city and the Florida Panhandle on the map.

"Half a million people will have camped out all night on the streets. And you will be playing in front of one million people," said CL Keedy III, Tournament of Roses president, as he addressed band students on April 19 at Niceville High School. Over 350 million people in 100 countries will view the Rose Parade on television, as nine networks broadcast it worldwide, he said. One student asked, "How many flowers are used?" "Roses alone, five million," Keedy replied. "And 6,000 gallons of glue!"

During Keedy and his wife Adrienne’s recent visit to help kick off fundraisers, the idea that Niceville will see its Eagle Pride performing in a nationally celebrated parade began to hit home.

Imagine the work it’s taking to get 300 teenagers contained, but entertained, on flights to and from California, raising the necessary funds, and preparing for one of the world’s most prestigious American celebrations.

"It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Keedy. He advised the band students to, "Get there early, and do what you know best: play music." And, he added, "Remember to breathe! And when you’re marching, have fun! That’s what this is all about, it’s entertainment, and we are there to entertain America, and the world."

NHS Principal Linda Smith said, "You can feel the excitement. It’s all starting to sink in. National coverage – Wow!" Smith was impressed too, with the way area businesses welcomed the Keedys. All along John Sims Parkway, marquees signaled Southern hospitality.

When NHS Band Director Daniel Wooten accepted the position as director four years ago, he formulated a five-year plan. He dreamed big and planned to get the band in major events, such as the Rose Parade, or the Macy’s Day Parade.

"It’s great visionary planning," said Assistant Director Barry Mullins. "He’s the big picture guy."

The 2005 Fiesta Bowl in Arizona and the Rose Parade are "stops along the way. But Scooter (Wooten’s nickname) would be the first to admit we’re just building on tradition." Tom Fitzpatrick was at NHS for 28 years, most of that time as head director. "We get to be the beneficiaries of that tradition." All of this is really about the music, stressed Mullins. And community support is essential, he added. "The people in this town are proud."

There’s plenty to be proud about, said Keedy. The Eagle Pride’s capacity to thrill an audience landed Niceville this opportunity. What constitutes the thrill? "It’s the sound you put out, plus the music you play." The music committee, one of 32 for the Tournament of Roses, also looks for crisp lines, diagonals, presence, and the quality to captivate audiences. DVD’s sent to the music committee of Niceville’s performances at Fiesta Bowl, and at various competitions, showcased that quality. The goosebump factor that the band regularly gives its audiences during football season is well-known. Twin Cities native, Judy Byrne Riley, for instance, wasn’t a bit surprised that NHS will march in the Rose Parade. "It’s about time!" she said. "Niceville deserves this honor!"

The night he stepped off the plane at Okaloosa Regional, April 18, Keedy told NHS drum majors the band should feel honored, for they’ve competed against college bands and are one of only eight high schools to be accepted during a year when the competition became tougher. Three of the 11 U.S. bands selected for the Rose Parade are college bands. Niceville will also be in international company. Adrienne Keedy said Niceville was their first band trip out of state, but the Keedys are also visiting Japan, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Canada, and possibly El Salvador. These countries will be part of the parade.

NHS Associate Director of Bands Jeff Adams said physical conditioning, and perfecting actual parade performance techniques, are top priorities. For instance, "We have to be prepared to execute a 105-degree turn on the parade route," said Adams. In Niceville, "it’s possible we’ll be blocking off streets to practice."

The organization and volunteer effort that it takes to create each year’s parade is enormous, Keedy told community members and leaders at the April 19 Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce reception. A Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association volunteer since 1975, Keedy believes, "Niceville High School has definitely earned this, with their quality, and leadership."

Keedy, born into a military family, grew up overseas, and appreciates the contributions of the world’s cultures, as well as America’s contributions. "I wanted to incorporate that," he said. That’s why this year, the 119th Tournament of Roses Parade theme is, "Passport to the World’s Celebrations."

Mayor Randall Wise presented Keedy with a key to the city, and teased, "If you ever get caught by the police, make sure you’re first in line to pay your fine!" Keedy asked if the key fit the bank.

For the band to get to Pasadena, each student needs approximately $1,700. Support’s been there from the start, however. Wooten appreciates State Senator Don Gaetz’s early vote of confidence. At the Chamber reception, Wooten said Gaetz had assured him the band would be accepted into the parade, and gave him a check.

School Board Member Howard Hill, Okaloosa County School District, believes the parade is a "fantastic opportunity. Eight months to raise half a million dollars seems daunting," he said. "But the young people have the necessary enthusiasm and dedication."

A strong core of band volunteers are energetically organizing a myriad of fundraisers, such as a golf tournament, car washes, grocery bagging, citrus sales, a drawing for a seven-day cruise, cookouts, and overseeing the Pennies for Pasadena containers placed in stores. Cindy Schroeder, NHS band booster president, led a fundraiser meeting April 17. Approximately 50 people attended.

Jeff Fraley, former NHS band booster president, instrumental in orchestrating the Fiesta Bowl trip, as well this parade, said hundreds of hours have already gone into the foundation of the endeavor. It’s a collaborative, impressive amount of volunteer effort, comprised of a dedicated steering committee, and NHS Band Booster executive board members, he said. Fraley anticipates, on New Year’s Day, 2008, that "most of the community will be tuned into the parade just to watch the Eagle Pride. There will be a lot of proud parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, neighbors and friends that will have their Tivo/DVR set to capture this moment and to enjoy in their support of the band." People from all over the Southeast who have seen Niceville perform will also remember their encounters with the Eagle Pride, he said.

"NHS has obtained the services of Northwest Airlines to obtain charter flight directly to and from Ft. Walton Beach and L.A. for this trip. They have proposed a 460 passenger Boeing 747," Fraley said.

Imagine 300 students boarding Boeing’s largest commercial aircraft. "That’s a parade in, and of, itself," said Karen Valenti, NHS band boosters publicity chairman.

Band mom Tracy Welch is thrilled that her daughter, Erin, incoming senior and clarinetist, will have this "lifetime experience" to cap off her high school memories.

Jayson Huebusch, incoming senior, plays saxophone, is trying out for drum major, and succinctly expressed the primary feelings of the entire band: "Excited!"

At the Fourth Annual Jazz Dinner on April 21, Keedy told the audience the band students will someday "drive their own kids bananas with stories" about the time they were in the Rose Parade.

Don’t think that Wooten’s done dreaming, however. The Midwest Clinic, a International Band and Orchestra Conference, is next on his list. "That’s one of the biggies in the nation," said Wooten. It takes place in Chicago.

Shanda Wooten said of her husband, "This is his dream job. I couldn’t be more proud of him."

Tournament of Roses President CL Keedy speaks during a reception held in his honor last month at the Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. Looking on is Niceville Mayor Randall Wise, who presented Keedy with the official key to the city. The Niceville High School Eagle Pride Marching Band is scheduled to perform in the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2008. Advertiser photo by Dennis Gilson.