When the Downtown Memphis Association pulled the plug on the Memphis Christmas Parade last year, the Whitehaven Community Christmas Parade became the only Christmas parade to be held anywhere in Memphis. This year, the event attracted a record crowd, and some school bands from outside Whitehaven, including Booker T. Washington High and Manassas High. The sunny, warm weather undoubtedly contributed to the increased attendance.
I went out to J. P. Freeman Stadium Thursday night to catch the Oakhaven-Mitchell game, and I was impressed by the musicianship of both bands, but especially Oakhaven, a band I had not heard before. Their repertoire includes both traditional marches and current hits, and they play cleanly and in tune. Memphis TN, 9/27/12
At the Whitehaven vs. Fairley game at J. P. Freeman Stadium, Memphis, 8/25/12
High school football (and the marching band battles that go with it) are a big part of the culture of Memphis, and there are few rivalries bigger than Whitehaven High School and Fairley High School. Their game this year, played at J. P. Freeman Stadium because Whitehaven Stadium is being renovated, was a rare Saturday game and it drew a crowd as big as one might expect for a college game.The weather was perfect, the bands were great, and there were no fights.
Memphis’ high-school football (and band) season got underway in earnest this weekend, with Saturday’s Whitehaven Classic offering a marathon three high-school games at Whitehaven Stadium. The first game, between Westwood and Mitchell, was delayed somewhat due to the heat, but as the day progressed and temperatures cooled, the crowds increased. Both Westwood and Mitchell have truly tiny bands this year compared to what I recall from the 1980’s and 1990’s. I suppose their enrollments are down as people have relocated to Hickory Hill, Cordova, Southaven and Olive Branch.
