Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – Pumpkin Show organizers are seeking sponsors to help bring the University of Cincinnati Marching Band to the Parade of Bands this year.
“We have reached out to the UC band, and they are open to coming,” said Barry Keller, vice president of Pumpkin Show Inc. “Nothing has been confirmed because we’re in fundraising mode and trying to find sponsors. Until we find out if we can have a sponsor or multiple sponsors, then we’ll make final plans.”
Keller said to his knowledge, this would be the University of Cincinnati Marching Band’s first appearance at the Circleville Pumpkin Show.
“We have found there’s an excitement to having a college band come,” Keller said. “We’ve had Ohio State three times and Ohio University just recently, and we’re really working to add a college band to the Thursday night Parade of Bands.”
Bill Stout, parade committee volunteer, said they are looking for partial sponsors to raise about $20,000 to cover the cost of bringing in the UC band.
“We’ve made several contacts, but some of them are still up in the air,” Stout said. “It’s difficult for the Pumpkin Show committee to spend that much money on one item, but we know it really draws the crowds.”
Stout said Gary Dean, local realtor and alumnus of the University of Cincinnati and its marching band, also has been networking on the committee’s behalf to secure sponsors for the event.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the band or becoming a partial sponsor may contact Stout at 740-474-5941.
In the meantime, Keller said Pumpkin Show officials will continue to work out the details.
“It’s too early to nail down details or logistics yet since they’re still out for summer break,” Keller said. “Once I can get the director on the phone and talk to them personally, we’ll have a better idea of how we can make it happen.”
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
