The FCHS Band and Auxiliary Units went on a tour of Boston and New York during the week of June 3-11. Following is a breakdown of what happened on each of those days. Pictures may soon follow.

Day 1

After an early rise, the many members of the band and auxiliary assembled at FCHS to load the buses and take off. This day was mainly used to gain some ground. Settled down for the night in Ohio.

Day 2

Once again, this day was completely used for traveling. Today, the buses traveled 500 miles from Ohio to just outside of Boston.

Day 3

Today began the actual tour of Boston. Local tour guides showed the band many landmarks of this great city. Sites included a 294-step walk up the Bunker Hill Memorial, the USS Constitution, Paul Revere’s house, Old North Church, and the cemetery where Sam Adams, Paul Revere, Mother Goose, and the 5 victims of the Boston Massacre were buried. Lunch was at the Prudential Center and dinner was at Quincy Market, followed by shopping. The day ended with a cruise of Boston Harbor.

Day 4

Today was the band’s first concert. After the concert, the band toured the town of Salem. A bus tour of the town and stops at the Salem Witch Museum and the House of The Seven Gables. Dinner was at a local mall.

Day 5

Today the band played two concerts at area elementary schools. After the concerts, some members went to lunch at the Hard Rock Café while others went to the Prudential Center again. After lunch, the band went to the top of the John Hancock building to see the city at a new angle. Following that, the buses pulled out and the band headed back west. The night ended in Stamford, Connecticut,

Day 6

NEW YORK CITY!!! After a very early start, the band entered the Big Apple and headed for Rockefellar Center to attend the taping of the Today Show at the Windows of the World. Following that were trips to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the World Trade Center. The band was led on a guided tour of New York, courtesy of the Port Authority, and then ate at either the Olive Garden or the theme restaurant, Mars 2112. The band then left the City that Never Sleeps so they could get some sleep in a hotel in New Jersey.

Day 7

Once again, strictly a travel day. A distance of 450 miles needed to be covered before the band stopped to rest in Kent, Ohio.

Day 8

This was the day everyone got to cut loose and play at the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, Cedar Point. The 11 hour stay included a chance to go on such roller coasters at the Magnum XL- 200, the Raptor, the Mantis, the Iron Dragon, the Power Tower, and the fastest, highest roller coaster in the world, the Millennium Force. A perfect end for such a trip.

Day 9

Band arrives back at good old FCHS for a chance to meet with family and get back to their lives. Of course, it wouldn’t have been Tour if there wasn’t a truck stop breakfast at the Dixie in Effingham.