RCHS Bands (a combination of the Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, and Color Guard) will march in the Olney Halloween Parade, followed by the Fright Night performance on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Bowers Park.
Seventh and eighth grade students are invited to march with the RCHS Bands for the parade. The attire for the event is Halloween spirit, so dress up in your favorite Halloween costume.
While the weather may not be warm on the day of the parade, students are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to prevent heat-related injuries.
The RCHS Bands are also proud to host the fifth annual Fright Night at Bowers Park (next to PizzaFast) following the Olney Halloween Parade. The band will perform soundtrack favorites such as Avengers, Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Thriller, and more, while movie and music video clips play on the big screen.
Candy will be handed out to spectators and middle school students. The RCHS Bands will perform a selection of Halloween tunes and movie themes, making this a fun and festive evening for children of all ages.

Show-times are 6:45-7:10 pm, or following the conclusion of the parade.

3:00-4:29 PM................................Change into customs & dinner (on your own)
4:30 PM.........................................Call-time at RCHS & rehearse
5:00 PM.........................................Load equipment & depart for rally location
5:30 PM.........................................Meet at Trust Bank on Main St.
6:00 PM.........................................Parade step-off
6:45 PM.........................................Fright Night Concert in Bower Park next to PizzaFast and across from the City Hall (showtime 6:45-7:10 p.m. - only one performance this year)

7:15 PM.........................................Pack & return to RCHS

The Halloween Movie and Cookout for RCHS Bands & friends is from 8:00-10:00 p.m. Attendance is not required for the movie and a cookout.

The Olney, IL Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 25th at 6:30 PM. The schedule for the combined Symphonic Band, and the Honors Wind Ensemble:

5:15 PM.............Meet at RCHS in department clothing (dress warm) & load
5:50 PM.............Walk from the school to parade line-up at the intersection of Scott St. & East St.

6:10 PM.............Set in parade block at parade location
6:30 PM.............Parade step-off
7:40-7:50 PM....Estimated return to RCHS

I recommend that all students layer up underneath to stay warm. We are in our full uniform, minus the shakoes and plumes. That being said, add holiday related items to the uniform, or at the very least wear lots of green and red!

The Olney, IL Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 26th at 6:30 PM. The schedule for the combined Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, and Color Guard is as follows:

5:30 PM.............Meet in the RCHS Music Department. Change into uniforms & load sousaphone and drum line cases into the small trailer.

5:55 PM.............Walk from the school to parade line-up at the intersection of Scott St. & East St.

6:10 PM.............Set in parade block at parade location

6:15 PM.............Drum major steps off the parade block, band warm-up, and run through the parade tunes.

6:30 PM.............Parade step-off

7:00 PM.............Estimated meet-up with buses near Eagleson's Car Dealership

7:15-7:30 PM....Estimated return to RCHS

I recommend that all students layer up underneath to stay warm. Color guard may wear any holiday garb. Winds & percussion will wear the marching band uniforms (don't forget your marching band shoes and black, crew socks!). Those wearing the marching band uniforms may string lights, tinsel, and wear a Santa's hat, elf hat, reindeer antlers, etc.

The Olney, IL Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 27th at 6:30 PM. The schedule for the combined Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, and colorguard is as follows:

5:30 PM.............Meet in the RCHS Music Department. Change into uniforms & load sousaphone and drum line cases into the small trailer.

5:55 PM.............Walk from the school to parade line-up at the intersection of Scott St. & East St.

6:10 PM.............Set in parade block at parade location

6:15 PM.............Drum major steps off the parade block, band warm-up, and run through the parade tunes.

6:30 PM.............Parade step-off

7:00 PM.............Estimated meet-up with buses near Eagleson's Car Dealership

7:15-7:30 PM....Estimated return to RCHS

I recommend that all students layer up underneath to stay warm. Color guard may wear any holiday garb. Winds & percussion will wear the marching band uniforms (don't forget your marching band shoes and black, crew socks!). Those wearing the marching band uniforms may string lights, tinsel, and wear a Santa's hat, elf hat, reindeer antlers, etc.

UPDATE: The parade has been cancelled, and the ceremony has been moved indoors to the VFW hall. The new call-time is 10am in department shorts, shirts, black crew socks, and black marching band shoes.

The combined Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, the cologuard (for those that wish to perform) performs in the Olney Veterans Day Parade scheduled for Thursday, November 11th. We are performing in our marching band uniforms for this event. If you do not have a uniform, please contact Mr. Jones or Mrs. Deimel as soon as possible.

The itinerary for the day is as follows:

9:30 AM................Call-time in the rehearsal hall in show/division shirt, shorts & Drillmasters. You may wear sweat pants under the uniform; however, no jeans, please.

9:35 AM................Change into marching band uniforms.

10:00 AM..............Buses arrive at the circle drive at RCHS

10:10 AM..............Load the buses

10:20 AM..............Parade line-up at Trust Band

10:40 AM..............Parade step-off

• Host of Freedom (memorized)

11:00 AM..............Ceremony outside the Richland County Court House. In the event of rain, the event will take place in the VFW hall. You will need:

• Lyre
• Flip folder
• Armed Forces on Parade
• Heave Ho My Lads

12:00 PM.............Estimated return time to RCHS


SCRIPT FOR THE CEREMONY AT THE COURTHOUSE:

1. Preceremony Music (Hosts of Freedom)
2. Opening Remarks
3. Invocation
4. Introduction of VFW Commander
5. Empty Chair
6. Star Spangled Banner
7. Guest Speaker
8. Branch of Service Songs (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines)
9. 21-Gun Salute & TAPS
10. God Bless America
11. Benediction
12. Closing Remarks