Features

Turkey Day: An away game for the band

Zach Thomson, social media editor| November 27, 2022

For many band members, this is their first away Turkey Day game they will be going to.

No halftime show? No problem. This year, the Turkey Day game will be held at Moss Field, meaning the KHS marching band will not perform their usual halftime show at the football game.

Although the KHS band will not take the field at halftime this year, many band members are still planning on going to the game and taking part in the community tradition. Earl Byrd, sophomore and baritone player, said going to away games can still be entertaining for the band.

“The experience of going to an away game is nice,” Byrd said. “Getting on the bus [to go to the game] with all of your friends can be a good time. Also, away games do not feel as serious as home games do because the entire band is not there.”

Since the Turkey Day game isn’t just any ordinary away game, many are excited to play their instrument as Kirkwood competes against Webster in football. Lily Mitchell, senior and center snare in the band, said a lot more band members will be at the Turkey Day game than a regular season away game.

“Normally, we only bring one bus to away games,” Mitchell said. “But for this game, we are bringing three buses, so a lot of the band can show up and get everyone excited at the game. ”

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I feel like the band is such an important part of school spirit. Not only is it a great way for students to have a good time at the games while playing their instruments, but I also think it is a great way to cheer on our school in big games, especially in this year’s Turkey Day game.

— Sophie Sears

The last time the Turkey Day game was held at Webster Groves was in 2018. For many band members, this is their first away Turkey Day game they will be going to.

“This is the seniors’ first Turkey Day away game, ” Mitchell said. “The COVID-19 year canceled the 2020 game, and the other Turkey Day games were at Kirkwood.”

Aside from Kirkwood winning against Webster in the Turkey Day game, people are also expecting Thanksgiving day to be very cold. Just like every year, the band is expecting to play in the chilly conditions.

“Every year on Thanksgiving it’s always cold,” Byrd said. “If we get to wear gloves with our instruments, then that would be nice.”

Although the Turkey Day game this year may be cold, the band is still looking forward to showing up to the game to show Kirkwood’s school spirit. Sophie Sears, sophomore, says that school spirit is a huge part of the band.

“I feel like the band is such an important part of school spirit,” Sears said. “Not only is it a great way for students to have a good time at the games while playing their instruments, but I also think it is a great way to cheer on our school in big games, especially in this year’s Turkey Day game.”