Event set to help raise travel funds for Ruston High band
The Ruston Youth Advocacy through the Arts organization is looking for bands to compete in the group’s first Pack the Park: Battle of the Bands set for April 20 in Railroad Park.
The event is a fundraiser for the Ruston High School band.
Participating bands compete for a $500 prize, and solo acts for a $150 prize. Entrees can be groups of any age. Categories include country, garage band, rock, acoustic, gospel, and Latin.
RYAA is trying to raise $10,000 to defray the Bearcat band’s travel costs from the 2023 state championship football season and have seed money toward the 2024 season.
The band is required to travel by charter bus to any out-of-state game or any in- state game that’s more than five hours away, RYAA President Eric Alexander said.
RYAA is a support group for the band that supplements the RHS band program’s budget and foots the charter travel costs.
“These funds go above and beyond what it takes to run a band to be there to support the football team,” Alexander said.
Chartering the buses alone costs several thousand dollars per game.
The Bearcats have three consecutive games in Texas this fall. That means three buses to carry the 85 to 100 band members, as well as meals. And it means RYAA needs money, Alexander said.
Pack the Park will feature local bands on the Railroad Park stage from 10 a. m. until 4 p. m., as well as food, event memorabilia, and special musical guests “Lady Chops” Elizabeth Vidos, and vocalist Trey Gauthreaux.
“We want to make this a family day, not just a concert,” Alexander said.
Fans and aspiring musicians can also buy raffle tickets online at rustonband.com for a chance to win a Taylor or Yamaha guitar.
Alexander, father of a senior Bearcat band member, said the band’s participation in football games lends to the excitement.
“To me it’s part of the atmosphere itself,” he said. “They’re just as much a part of the game as the cheerleaders or anybody else. If the band wasn’t there, you’d know something was missing.”
