CL Strikers Drumline to march in Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
The Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline will march in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Saturday and Chicago's Thanksgiving Parade next week.
The percussion group, founded by local musicians, will make it's first appearance in the Lights Festival Saturday evening, following on the heels of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The parade will be broadcast live by ABC 7 Chicago from 6 to 7 p.m.
The Strikers will also be featured in Chicago's Thanksgiving Parade. WGN 9 Chicago will show the parade live from 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. It will be rebroadcast by CLTV from 1 to 4 p.m.
This will be the drumline's fourth time participating in the Thanksgiving Parade, but this year the Strikers have been selected for the first time to give a 2.5-minute staged performance in front of the VIP stands.
"We were completely blown away that we were chosen," said Brett Hopkins, a Crystal Lake City Councilman and founding member of the Strikers.
Group members have been practicing intensely for months to prepare for the high-profile parade performances. The Thanksgiving Parade is watched by more than 5.1 million TV viewers and seen by 425,000 people lining State Street in downtown Chicago, according to the parade's website.
The group was formed in 2007 by Hopkins, Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley, and Prairie Ridge Drumline instructor Thomas Kundmann. All three were looking for a creative musical outlet.
"We started it as a bit of a lark, so we've be taken aback by the response we've received," Hopkins said.
The Strikers have become a regular feature in parades, sporting events, and festivals throughout McHenry County and the country.
The group has about 35 members, ranging from high school students to adults, and is known for their throwback bowling attire and drums lined with zebra skin. Proceeds from the group's performance fees are used to fund college scholarships.
For more information about the Strikers, visit www.clstrikers.com. Information on the parades can be found at www.chicagofestivals.org and www.themagnificentmile.com.
