International Flavor
WAMSB opens in Buckhannon
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The Chien Kuo High School Marching Band from Taiwan was another fan favorite during the opening ceremony.
BUCKHANNON --The World Association of Marching Show Bands world championship kicked off with a two-hour-plus opening ceremony Wednesday night, which included performances from 20 international bands.
At the beginning of the ceremony, which took place at West Virginia Wesleyan College's Ross Field, a gentleman from Honduras stepped up to the podium set up on the football field and took the microphone.
"As a tribute to the city of Buckhannon, West Virginia, as the site of the World Association of Marching Show Bands, we present to you, ladies and gentlemen, the Bethel Marching Band from Honduras, interpreting 'Take Me Home, Country Roads,'" he said.
The Bethel Marching Band then marched into the stadium playing the song so close to West Virginians' hearts, and the crowd roared its approval.
Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner officially welcomed all the bands and visitors to the city.
"Welcome to Buckhannon and welcome to West Virginia. Is it ever an honor to welcome everyone to the country that we love, the United States of America. Isn't this awesome?" Skinner said.
"We are so fortunate to be here and to live here and to host this event. We're also very thankful and we're very, very blessed to have the neighbors that we do."
The mayor mentioned that the instruments belonging to one of the bands that flew to America for the competition had not yet arrived in the U.S.
"You may have seen, earlier today on social media, a group from Poland, their instruments didn't arrive," Skinner said. "We thank the members of the Grafton High School band and the Philip Barbour band for coming to the rescue.
"We have fantastic neighbors, and as West Virginians, we know our spirit, we always lend a helping hand to our neighbor."
Skinner also recognized Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco in the audience, asking him to stand, and thanking him "for all of your hospitality. We have bands staying in Elkins ... thank you to Weston and Lewis County, and Harrison County as well. We couldn't put forth this event without our neighbors."
Skinner also introduced country music star Lee Greenwood, who closed the event by singing his classic tune, "God Bless the U.S.A."
WAMSB 2023 Buckhannon Host Committee President Randy Sanders stood at the podium during the event to introduce many of the bands to the crowd, while some of the international bands were introduced by one of their own members or officials.
Several of the musicians noted that this was their first time coming to the United States.
Events will continue today, with the official WAMSB field parade competition at 4 p.m., followed by the drumline competition at 7:30 p.m.
The event's Parade of Nations will begin at noon Saturday. The WAMSB final field competition will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, with the official closing ceremonies at 7 p.m. Sunday.