LVW Parade Etiquette – Family and Friends Guidelines

The LVW 2024 summer season is off to a great start!  The first few days of Band Camp saw tremendous growth, and the band is ready to march our first two parades of the year this weekend in Brillion and Appleton.
As we enter the 2024 parade season, we want to share with all of you some things to consider when attending a parade to watch LVW perform.

• We absolutely LOVE the friends and family of LVW and how much you support the band!  We want you to have the most enjoyable experience possible!
  
• Before the Parade Begins
  
  • If you are in the area where LVW is warming up, you may not be able to visit with your son or daughter
    
  • You may enjoy the sights and sounds, but please give us some space
    
  • This is not a good time to try to get individual pictures with your LVW Member.  Take some photos and videos of the process if you wish!
    
• While the Parade is in Progress
  
  • It may not be possible for you to “follow along” with the band
    
    • There will likely be other spectators along the route enjoying the parade
      
    • There may not be sidewalk space on which to walk
      
    • Please do not walk in the street to follow LVW.  That space is reserved for staff, directors, and official LVW Volunteers for that parade
      
  • ALWAYS be respectful of other parade-goers
    
    • Do not walk in front of spectators that have positioned themselves in a spot from which to watch the parade.  They have often had that spot reserved for hours, or in the case of some parades, a day or two!
      
    • If there is room, you should try to walk behind spectators
      
    • If you want to get a video or pictures of the band as they pass by, find a location that has fewer spectators and there is easy access to the street without hindering others’ viewing experience
      
  • It is best to find a place from which to watch the parade and stay in that area
    
    • It’s more fun if you can find other LVW family and friends with which to enjoy the parade!
      
    • Wear your LVW Gear and Bling so other LVW fiends can find you!
      
    • Cheer as loud as you can for LVW, but also for all of the other bands.  They work as hard as we do, and they also appreciate the love!
      
• After the Parade is Over
  
  • The LVW Members have lots to do before they get back on the bus
    
    • Staff and Volunteers need to check on the well-being of the LVW members.  Some may need assistance.
      
    • All of the LVW members need to gather for post-parade announcements
      
    • All LVW members have specific tasks to take care of
      
      • Casing instruments and other equipment
        
      • Prepping the truck for loading/getting equipment to where it needs to be in a short amount of time
        
      • Taking care of their uniform pieces - sometimes they need to be loaded into specific boxes or bins
        
    • Friends and family members, all of the above tasks must be done BEFORE they are free to mingle with you.
      
    • Don’t be offended if your favorite LVW Member doesn’t immediately try to find you when a parade is done.  There is work to do.
      
    • You may be able to get some pictures, but don’t assume that your LVW Member can do that when it is most convenient for you.  
      
    • There will be time to mingle, but maybe not much time.  We often have a schedule to keep, and sometimes we have another performance or event that we need to get to on time.
      

So again, we truly appreciate all of the support that we ALWAYS receive from our army of “Groupies”, and we hope that you all continue to show up in such large numbers and cheer us on.  We needed to send out this reminder for long-time groupies.  You may already know the “drill”.  But we have a HUGE number of brand-new LVW members, and therefore new LVW parents and relatives for whom this is a new experience.  We also have to be careful so as to not offend others who are simply there to enjoy a parade (especially when so many of our supporters are wearing LVW clothing!)
Thanks for understanding, and we hope to see you at our parades this summer!  Let Your Light Shine!