Eight grand marshalls chosen for band festival

All are former Vikingland committee members

For the first time ever, there are not one, not two, but eight grand marshals for this year’s Vikingland Band Festival parade. The festival announced this week that is expanding its list of grand marshals, bestowing the honor on people who have all worked on its committee.

The 35th annual band festival will be held Sunday, June 30, with a parade starting at 1:30 p.m. in Alexandria.

The eight retired committee members have been chosen to represent the 158 people who have served on festival committees since the inaugural year in 1985.

The 2019 grand marshals, along with the number of years they served on the committee, are:

Melody Thoennes, 18 years, was in band as a student and first volunteered for the Vikingland Band Festival in 1996 with her family later helping too. Next year, she and husband Bill will accompany grandson Preston and the New York Mills marching band to the 2020 Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Michael Bouressa, 12 years, moved to Alexandria in 1987 and attended his first VBF parade that summer. While no longer a committee member, he continues to help with the parade and drum corps. He and his wife Terri live in Alexandria and he works at 3M.

Kathy Tauber, 11 years, said she started loving marching band when her children were in junior high. She served on the Booster Committee before becoming its president. As part of the VBF committee, she has directed buses and kept band members hydrated.

Al Quam, 10 years, moved to Alexandria in 1976 with his wife Sharon. They raised four children who all played in the band. A retired dentist, Al has served the community and his profession in many ways.

Debbi Rydberg, 10 years, started volunteering for the festival in 1999 by selling T-shirts along the parade route. Since then, she and her entire family have volunteered or worked on almost every aspect of the event. Her children also marched with the Jefferson High School Marching Band.

Monique Sebring, 10 years, of St. Peter, volunteers for VBF and the Drum Corps show because she is happy to see youth music valued and promoted. She enjoys hearing the bands rehearse one last time before lining up.

“The brass riffs and drumline cadences are exciting and band members enthusiasm is contagious!” she said. “Also, it’s a hoot to drive golf carts on the parade streets of Alexandria.”

Louise and Steve Cook, 9 years, moved to Alexandria in 2003. Their youngest son, Philip, joined marching band, and Louise and Steven in with VBF. They say their best memory is watching the Alexandria Marching Band come down the street leading the parade, “tears welling up in your eyes knowing how hard these young people have worked to perfect their performance. “

“All of these great people have passion, whether it’s for youth, for community, or for producing a great event,” said current committee chairman Greg DeGier. “These people came back year after year. Their devotion has helped keep the event strong for an incredible 35 years.”

Several other people have served on the Vikingland Band Festival for many years, and are still active in the event. They include Ken Martinson, who co-founded the festival and has been involved ever since, including 15 years on the committee.

Other longtime committee members who are still active in planning meetings include: Rhonda Blaser, 22 years; DeGier, 19 years; and Kim and Dave Nelson, 9 years.

It also takes hundreds of volunteers to run a festival of this size, organizers pointed out in a press release.

In addition to the parade, the Minnesota Drum Corps Premiere & Vikingland Band Festival Preview is slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 29.

Information on reserved parade bleacher seating can be found at www.VikinglandBandFestival.com.