Sales to help bands travel, get uniforms

Fall is a busy time for the four high school marching bands that entertain Columbia County.

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Between practicing and performing half-time shows during football games, band members are busy selling fruit in their largest fundraiser.

Harlem High School band members began selling navel and juice oranges, grapefruit and tangelos Oct. 1 to raise money for new uniforms.

"Our uniforms are over 15 years old," said Blanche Hood, the fundraising chairwoman of the Harlem Band Booster Club. "They do not even make the material any more that these uniforms are made out of."

Band members will be taking orders through Nov. 16, and Hood said the fruit is expected to be delivered Dec. 11.

Evans High School band members are working toward a different goal.

"We are currently raising funds because we have been invited to perform in the Waikiki Holiday Parade in Hawaii during Thanksgiving in November 2008," band Director Reid Hall said.

The trip also will include a performance on the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial.

Lakeside High School band members are aiming to raise funds for a spring trip to Washington, D.C., and help pay for new uniforms for next year's marching band, band Director Jim Tau said.

Greenbrier High School band members will be headed to New York City in April, and selling fruit earns them credits toward the trip.

Proceeds from the sale also will go toward new band uniforms and equipment.

Fruit can be ordered by contacting band members from any of the four high schools or by calling the schools.