The Hometown Sound for the Celilo Celebration
After regional band negotiations fell through, local director Frank L. Young pledged to assemble a 30-man band for the upcoming May 4th festivities.
To Frank L. Young, chairman of the music committee of the Celilo celebration, has been delegated the task of furnishing a band for an all-day event on May 4. The joint committee of the two towns had opened negotiations with Pendleton, Athena, Ritzville, and Prosser for a band for the occasion, but all negotiations were called off last night when Mr. Young came forward with the promise to put 30 band men in line that day. His proposition was accepted and he was told to get busy. Mr. Young, who at different times has acted as director of both the Kennewick and Pasco bands, believes he will have no difficulty in rounding up 30 players who will dish up homemade music that will compare very favorably with the imported brand. In the morning, the band will march in two groups, but during the rest of the day, it will play as one organization.
“He believes he will have no difficulty in rounding up 30 players who will dish up homemade music that will compare very favorably with the imported brand.”
Local pride and the ability to mobilize community talent over 'imported' professional services remains a core tenet of civic identity in the Tri-Cities today. The Celilo celebration was a massive regional event, marking the importance of shared cultural and economic interests between river towns like Kennewick and Pasco.
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