UNA’s Pride of Dixie to Perform at Bentley’s Inaugural Parade
Jan. 16, 2015
Bryan Rachal, University Communications
FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama Pride of Dixie Marching Band has been invited to perform at the Inaugural Parade for Gov. Robert Bentley. The event will take place in Montgomery, Alabama, Monday, Jan. 19.
Dr. Lloyd Jones, director of UNA’s bands, said this is the third gubernatorial inauguration parade that the Pride of Dixie has performed in. The band’s pervious participation occurred in 1987 and 2007.
Jones said this performance is a prestigious honor and also help with exposure. “This is an opportunity to represent the University of North Alabama in Montgomery – the place where so many important decisions are made which affect our institution. We are proud to have been selected to represent UNA, the Shoals area, and Lauderdale County; and we are hopeful that our presence will foster a continued positive relationship with decision makers in the capital city. Every university band in Alabama is expected to attend the parade this year, and the members of the UNAPOD expect to perform at the highest levels,” he said.
Jones said the band has been practicing and will be ready to march regardless of the weather, which could range from 65 degrees and sunny conditions to 45 degrees and rain, as long as there’s no lighting. He said the parade route has changed through the years, but it is usually around 3 ½ miles long and while the day is a long one for the band, Jones said they’re proud to represent UNA.
“There are numerous people in the southern end of our state who are unaware of the University of North Alabama and the wonderful programs offered here in all academic areas. Every time the UNA Pride of Dixie performs around Montgomery we are able to recruit students. It’s all about putting our product in front of that population and making them aware that there are many opportunities at UNA,” said Jones.
For more information on the Pride of Dixie Band: http://www.una.edu/universitybands/