09/16/2024
Well that was a Drums at Appletime® for the record books! We set a new event record with 20 bands performing, 1,215 registered band students, 79 buses and support trucks, and what was probably also a record number of attendees. (waiting on the count) There were many late nights and early mornings in preparation. Multiple plans were prepared to help deal with a continuously changing weather forecast and we scrambled a bit at the last minute to put it all in place. Luckily we have a talented Committee with the support of Murphysboro Apple Festival, Inc., our Murphysboro School District and a host of over 100 volunteers, who all came together to quickly adapt and miraculously pull this thing off! It Worked!!
A Big Thank You to the Murphysboro Apple Festival, the Murphysboro School District Administration, the District Band Program, the District Custodial and Maintenance Staff, Crimson Express and Company our Murphysboro band booster organization, First Southern Bank, Outlaw Motorsports & Black Diamond Harley Davidson in Marion, Illinois. And a Big Thank You to the host of volunteers in spectator parking, concessions, swag, hospitality, ramp monitors, gate keepers, runners, volunteer coordinators, the amazing bus parking crew, our Grill Master and his cook crew, and the dedicated Courtesy Vehicle drivers who stepped up last minute to operate a Fleet of vehicles and tirelessly shuttle our spectators continuously throughout the entire event and after!
A special Thank You to Molly’s Pint Brewpub and the Big Muddy Monster Brew Fest Crew who both work in cooperation with our Committee and provide dozens of volunteers and many needed resources.
And now I need to name a few names.
Thank You to:
Dr. Andrea Evers – Superintendent, Murphysboro School District 186
Cody Ellermeyer – Principal, Murphysboro High School
Matthew Todd – Principal, Carruthers Elementary School
Georgia Marshal – Food Service Director, Murphysboro District 186
Nicholas Williams – Director, Murphysboro Bands
Will Stephens – Mayor of Murphysboro
Shawn Stearns – General Chair, Murphysboro Apple Festival
Mike Garlinghouse – Asst. General Chair, Murphysboro Apple Festival
And now for the dedicated 2024 Drums at Appletime Committee.
Peggy Reiman, Nancy Caskey, Tanya Fletcher, Sarah Cunningham, Nick Blew, Jayson Fletcher, Lisa Fletcher, Jennie Snyder, Joe Fry, Sharon Fry and Murl Reiman.
Every one of you plays an important role in making this all possible. You amaze me each year. I am honored and truly blessed to get to work with each of you on this committee! Thank you for putting up with me and your dedication to Drums at Appletime.
Kirk Caskey
Murphysboro Apple Festival, Inc.
Drums at Appletime Committee
