Band Festival A Success       

To the Editor:

 On October 15, The Newtown Nighthawks Marching Band and Guard hosted their 9th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Marching Band Festival at Newtown High School. The event, which is usually held outdoors in the stadium, had to be moved indoors to the auditorium due to the heavy rain that fell that evening but no spirits were dampened by the weather. The seven bands and color guards that performed that evening did an outstanding job and delighted the spectators and fellow participants as well!

 The festival would not have been possible without the help and support of many people. The Festival Committee would like to thank the Newtown Board of Education; Dr Evan Pitkoff, superintendent of schools; William Manfredonia, Newtown High School principal; the Newtown High School custodial staff; Greg Simon, athletic director; Rich Novia and his security staff; Sabrina Post and the Drama Club’s Tech Team (whose assistance made the use of the auditorium possible); Dan and Patti Barrett and the Blue and Gold Athletic Association; Newtown Parks and Recreation Department; the many local merchants who purchased advertising in support of the festival program fundraiser; The Newtown Bee and the Danbury News-Times for their coverage of the event; Band Director Kurt Eckhardt and his wonderful staff; our senior class band members who acted as escorts for the visiting bands; all of our dedicated, hard working band parents who were always ready to step up and take on any task to get the job done; and a special thank you to Mark and Elise Ashey, past committee chairmen, for their guidance and support every step of the way in planning this event. We would also like to thank Stop & Shop for donating flowers for the seniors, Cathy Robinson for donating water and Yankee Wine & Spirits for donating candy to sell at the event.

We would like to congratulate Mr Eckhardt, his staff, and most of all the Newtown High School Marching Band and Color Guard for an exciting and outstanding performance.

Susan & Neil Aiello

Barbara & Bill Webb

16 Crabapple Lane, Sandy Hook   

8 Susan Lane, Newtown                                      October 27, 2004