FAMU Marching ‘100’ Performs at San Jose Juneteenth Festivities
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Marching “100” Band headlined the San Jose, California, Juneteenth Weekend Activities.
The band’s performance on June 17 was the centerpiece of the Santa Clara County Juneteenth 42nd Homecoming Festival in the San Jose downtown arts, cultural and entertainment district.
The tour party included 56 band members and five staff, according to Director of Bands Shelby Chipman, Ph.D. Organizers covered the cost of travel, flights, hotel, meals, and honorarium.
Chipman said the African American Community Service Agency (AACSA), which extended the invitation, provided first class treatment to the traveling group.
“Everything was just so festive; how it was organized and the amount of attention they provided the band. The community came out that day,” said Chipman. “They really treated the Marching “100” members like royalty.”
The West Coast performance came a few weeks ahead of the Saturday, July 8 kickoff of the Marching “100” Summer Band Camp with 350 registered participants.