I rounded the corner and pulled into the parking lot on the west side of Carmel High School and was immediately surrounded by thousands of shiny clear soap bubbles floating lazily in the air. They created a calm, dream-like atmosphere which indicated something very clean was going on. A Drum Major in a crisp white uniform with the tall, furry hat and CHS emblazoned across his chest demanded my attention. He blew a whistle three times and my car was immediately surrounded by the Marching Greyhounds; instruments in hand.
To my amazement, the saxophones started spraying soapy, crystal clean Carmel water on my car. The trombones high step in, using their slides to wash back and forth every inch of the car in sync with each musical note. Summoned by the Drum Major, fifteen tubas line up on both sides and use the low notes to blow-dry my car to spotless perfection. It was as if I was at a car wash completely run by a marching band.
The noxious, irritatingly loud bleating of my alarm clock rousted me from a deep sleep. I realized quickly I must have been dreaming. Saxophones don’t spray water and tubas cannot dry a car. But, I was awake enough to realize the Carmel Marching Greyhounds do know how to offer a pretty darn good car wash for an unbelievably low price.
On June 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can get your very own version of a Carmel Marching Greyhound car wash. Tickets are only $10 and it is an annual tradition which this year, has added significance. By letting band kids sparkelize your vehicular pride and joy, you also will help them get to the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif., this fall. Imagine the pride you will feel knowing you helped when you hear Matt Lauer or Al Roker on TV say, “Next up from Carmel, Indiana, The Marching Greyhounds!”
No, this is not a dream. Our very own Greyhounds will be a featured band in the Rose Bowl Parade. Because of this, they need to raise a significant amount of money to pay for travel, lodging and meals. You will be seeing much more of them in the coming weeks as 250 band kids and their parent volunteers execute their fundraising strategy.
I hope you will join me and swing by the Carmel High School parking lot this Saturday for a car wash experience of which you might otherwise only dream about.