VMI Regimental Band and Pipe Band Attend Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama

On Thursday, February 24th, approximately 100 cadet band members of both the Regimental Band and Pipe Band, as well as Col. Brodie, Major Mitchell, SSG Burns, and CMDR Shank, departed VMI to attend Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama. This is the first major off-post band trip the band has attended since March of 2019 due to COVID restrictions across the United States, and the cancellation of many events such as Mardi Gras over the past two years. On Saturday, February 26th, the bands had a nearly 14 hour day of performances, encompassing five highly-attended events. In the morning, the show Pipe Band and 1st and 2nd class Regimental Band members played in a neighborhood in Mobile, which was home to Vester Thompson III '40, who before his death created a fund for the VMI band to travel off-post and perform. The Pipe Band played "Amazing Grace" in honor of his wife, Mrs. Kathryn Thompson, who passed away late last week. Both bands were welcomed by the community, and were provided lunch following their performance. The Pipe Band continued the day by performing for an audience of hundreds at the Malaga Hotel in downtown Mobile, followed by a one mile parade that escorted the King and Queen of Mardi Gras to their destination for the parade and ball later that evening. The VMI Pipe Band was one of only two groups to escort the Royals of Mardi Gras, making this an honor for the Pipe Band. Perhaps viewed as the main event of the trip, the combined Regimental Band and Pipe Band played for an approximately five mile long Mystic of Time Parade that encircled the city, beginning and ending at the Mobile Civic Center. The parade was attended by thousands from across the United States. Both bands are thankful to the immense number of VMI alumni and friends that attended the parade, many wearing VMI clothes and accessories, as a show of support to the bands. Immediately following this parade, both the Regimental and Pipe Bands were invited to play at the Mystic of Time Ball held in the Civic Center, which was attended by the Royals of Mardi Gras, as well as hundreds of Mobile citizens. Both bands returned in the early morning hours of Monday, February 28th. They are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to experience Mardi Gras as attendees on Friday and participants on Saturday. The event will be happily remembered by all those in attendance.