On Feb. 22-23, the Class of Checotah hosted their 50th Annual Band Daze at their new Checotah Center for Performing Arts building.
“The top of the schedule says 48th Annual but we found out it was actually our 50th Annual!” Band Director Ashley Hackler said. “Apparently, a newspaper clipping came out in ‘Checotah -Stories from the past’ and that’s how we found out!”
The local newspaper, the McIntosh County Democrat, posted from a Feb. 14, 1974 article, “First Annual Band Festival. Wednesday night at Dickson’s Café, plans were discussed and finalized for the first annual Concert Band Festival to be held at the high school on Saturday, Feb. 23, lasting from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Concert will be held at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium, featuring the winning bands in three high schools classes and one class for Jr. high.”
“It was cool to find out it was our 50th year,” Hackler said. “Having it in the new Performing Arts Center was amazing! With the wonderful student workers we had and the new facilities, it has never run smoother. We have some fantastic students in the Class of Checotah and Program and it shows!”
Checotah started off the Band Daze, playing their selections of Silvercrest and Redemption and getting feedback from the guest judges. A total of 27 bands performed at the 50th Band Daze. They included the following: Checotah HS Fort Gibson HS Hilldale HS Stilwell HS Spiro HS Stigler JH Mounds MS Eufaula MS Panama HS Vian HS Mounds HS Sequoyah Tahlequah HS Stigler HS Catoosa HS Grand View MS Henryetta HS Canadian HS Prague MS Warner HS Alice Robertson (Musk.) JH Tahlequah MS Wagoner HS Mannford HS Eufaula HS Coalgate HS Heavener HS Bethel HS “The 50th Anniversary Checotah Band Daze is in the books!” Hackler said. “Congratulations to all!”
The following bands who were recognized for sweepstakes in these categories: MS– Eufaula 7th grade 2A – Canadian HS 3A – Bethel HS 4A – Fort Gibson Jazz – Catoosa HS The overall highest point band of the Band Daze contest was Bethel HS.
“On behalf of Checotah Schools we want to thank everyone helped make this year such a great success. From our expert judges to all the great bands, to our food vendors, Fry Daddy’s and Miss Tammy’s Lunch Wagon, and those in the community that came out to hear us play. It was a great success because of you all.”
Special thank you to all the 2024 Band daze sponsors: Peddy family, Checotah Perk, Joe LeMasters, Jr. Memorial, Bailey Dubuque, Megan Benson, Patriot Buildings, Evonne Hubbell, Checotah East Mini Storage, Shady Grove Mini Storage, Robinson family, Pitts family, Denver Thornton, Reynolds Concrete, Parr family, Andrews family, Wildcat Nutrition, Alyson Rice, Gary White, McIntosh County Treasurer Betty Whisenhunt and Mc-Intosh County Sheriff Kevin Ledbetter.
