Grif's Marching Band Debut

The New Palestine High School Marching Dragons made their season debut tonight during half-time of the New Pal- Whiteland season opener at the brand, spankin' new Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts. This was the second half of a double header that began with Fishers trouncing Noblesville. The New Palestine team seemed to study Noblesville's moves carefully and worked to emulate their effectiveness. Ah, well, we were there for the band anyway. And the band looked good! We couldn't hear them because they pointed their instruments toward the other side of the field, but their moves looked good. The Old Curmudgeon used that new camera he has previosly mentioned to video the entire routine, but apparently you have to also press the start button, not just turn on the camera and look at the display. Old people and technology. What can I say?

The Williams and Hardebeck families traveled together to the venue. Here Lauren Williams and Lauren Hardebeck (whom The Old Curmudgeon refers to as "The Lauren Sisters) enjoy the view from what would be some expensive seats at a Colts game.

Here's Grif in the band section waiting for half-time.

Grif looks enthusiastic prior to the big performance.

Part of the New Pal percussion section as seen on the big screen.

At first we didn't notice, but the lights on the roof started flashing and then the roof began to open -- the first time it had been opened for a game. And New Pal (and Whiteland, of course) were the first two teams in history to play in "The Luke" with the roof open. Call Ripley!

The New Pal cheerleaders and some guy who works for the Colts.

Whatever mojo Mr. Manning had to offer the Dragons on their sideline was not stout enough.

A lot of people don't know that Peyton has, for years, secretly wished to be one of the Supremes. Here he practices his moves for "Stop In The Name Of Love."



That nice little Manning boy says "Hi" to the band. This photo is from the Greenfield Reporter.


Enthusiastic New Palestine faithful support their team through thick and thin. Another Greenfield Reporter shot.

New Palestine Cheerleaders do their stuff.

At last the time comes for the band to take the field.

[HERE, IMAGINE A STUNNING VIDEO OF THE HALF-TIME SHOW AS IF THE OLD CURMUDGEON HAD NOT BEEN OUTSMARTED BY THE CAMERA]

Night had descended by the time we made our exit. Here are some exterior shots of the stadium.



The above video was right side up when it left my computer. I don't know what the problem is on the Blog end of the pipe. Just tilt you head to the left and you'll get it.