The Jersey Surf is excited to announce the first ever Jersey Surf Alumni Corps. To kick off the Surf’s 30th anniversary season, the Jersey Surf Alumni Corps will march in the “6ABC Dunkin’ Donuts 2019 Thanksgiving Day Parade” in Philadelphia next November.
“It’s really exciting to be able to march with Surf again” said Michael Surkin, a brass alumnus. “I’m looking forward to marching with old friends and getting to meet alumni from the years before and after me.” Mike marched with Surf from 2008 through 2012.
In addition to celebrating this landmark anniversary for the Jersey Surf, members of the alumni corps will also be part of history as Philadelphia celebrates the 100th anniversary of America’s oldest Thanksgiving Day parade spectacular.
The alumni corps steering committee is comprised of five alumni ranging all three decades of the corps’ history. Committee member and color guard alumna Julie Hill (2007 – 2009) said “The committee is really excited about the event. We’re looking forward to celebrating the history of our corps while also making history with the corps’ first alumni edition.”
Gabe Olochwoszcz, another committee member and alumnus said “The idea for an alumni corps has been brewing since the 25th anniversary celebration. The 2019 Thanksgiving Parade provides us with a great performance opportunity to celebrate the corps and its history with the community, our fans, and, most importantly, fellow alumni who have helped build the Jersey Surf into the successful organization it is today.” Gabe marched in the brass section in 1997 and 1998 and worked on the staff from 2001 through 2005. Other committee members include Katie Liming (brass and drum major 2015 – 2017), Geoffrey Martin (drumline 2000 – 2001), and Marcus Reamer (pit 2008 – 2009).
All alumni of the Jersey Surf organization who are in good standing are invited to join the corps. More information about the event and how to secure a spot in the corps is posted below.
REGISTER FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY ALUMNI PARADE CORPS HERE
Participation Fees and Deadlines
$335 Paid in Three Installments:
- $135 deposit to secure your spot due 10/1/2018
- $120 early bird price if paid by 8/31/2018
- Deposit is refundable until second payment due date
- $100 non-refundable second payment due 2/1/2019
- Deposit is no longer refundable after this date
- $100 final payment due 8/4/2019 (2019 Send-Off BBQ)
- Registration/changes after 8/11/2019 will be subject to an additional $25 fee
What is Covered:
- Special edition 30th anniversary “uniform” components – yours to keep!
- Hotel room near parade site Wednesday night (Based on 4-person occupancy)
- Dinner Wednesday evening
- Breakfast Thursday morning
- Use of instrument/equipment
- Rehearsal space
- Transportation from rehearsal to hotel
TENTATIVE Timeline (subject to change):
11/27/2019 (Wednesday)
- Morning – arrive at Camden County VoTech for rehearsal
- Lunch – bring a sack lunch
- Afternoon – rehearsal
- Dinner – provided by Jersey Surf
- Evening – bus trip to Philly; rehearsal at parade site
- Night – sleep at hotel in Philly
11/28/2019 (Thursday)
- Breakfast – provided at hotel
- Morning – PARADE [televised]
- Dismissal
Other Important Dates:
- 11/17/2018 (Saturday) Planning meeting at November camp at VoTech
- February, 2019 – Distribution of music (via digital delivery) and online supporting reference material for all participants
- 8/4/2019 (Sunday) Rehearsal at send-off BBQ at VoTech
Optional:
- For an additional fee, Thanksgiving Dinner at a Philadelphia-area restaurant with other members of the alumni as well as staff members, family and friends will be available if interest warrants. Information will be available in early 2019.
REGISTER FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY ALUMNI PARADE CORPS HERE
FAQs
Hotel
Can I pick my roommates?
Yes! We will collect roommate requests in 2019 closer to the event once we have a list of all of the participating members.
I live locally, do I have to stay in the hotel?
Yes. The parade REQUIRES all participants to spend Wednesday night in a designated hotel. This ensures that no one gets stuck in a traffic jam etc. that might cause them to miss the performance.
Can my family stay in the hotel with me?
Yes. BUT because we have budgeted to have four performers per room, you will have to purchase an “add-on” to cover the cost of being the only performer staying in the room.
Can I stay in a room by myself or with just one alumna/e instead of three others?
Yes. BUT because we have budgeted to have four performers per room, you have to purchase “add-ons” to cover the cost of having only two people in the room.
Rehearsals/Marching
Do I have to attend the 8/4/2019 rehearsal?
Ideally you will attend this rehearsal as we have very limited time to prepare, and many alumni no longer have consistent access to an instrument/equipment. Plus you’ll get to see the 2019 corps perform for the last time on the east coast before they head off to Indy for championships!
I can’t take off work on Wednesday 11/27/2019, can I skip the afternoon rehearsal and just come to the evening rehearsal in Philly?
No. Everyone must attend the day rehearsal (as well as the evening rehearsal at the parade site). This is the only time we will be able to rehearse before practicing on the parade route. It is imperative that all performers are present to ensure we put on a professional performance. Registration at CCTS will begin at 1PM and rehearsal will be underway by 1:45 PM. We suggest you plan to be at the VoTech all day on Wednesday 11/27/2019.
Do I need to provide my own instrument/equipment?
No, but if you have one you would like to use you will be allowed to use it. If you need to rent an instrument for practice, we may have a very limited number available. If you would like to purchase a horn for your own enjoyment, we would be happy to assist you in its acquisition.
Can my family members/non-Surf alumni march with me?
We cannot guarantee there will be spots for non-Surf alumni. If spots are available after the 2/1/2019 payment deadline we may open the corps to capable family members and friends. Their total cost will also be $335 per person.
If my family members/non-Surf alumni march with me, do I still have to purchase an “add-on” to have them stay in my hotel room?
No, you will not have to purchase an “add-on” because they will have paid the $335 fee which includes their portion of a hotel room.
Can I purchase additional days at the hotel at the special Surf rate?
Yes. If you’re visiting from out of town and want to arrive before we check-in or stay after we check-out, let us know and we will work with the hotel to get you the additional accommodations that you need. Of course you will be responsible for all additional charges.
I am a pit alum, what will I do in the parade?
Pit alumni are welcome to march in the honor guard if they desire. If you play another marching instrument and would like to play it in the parade, that is also an option. We are open to suggestions of additional ideas. Shoot us an email at alumni@jerseysurf.org with your suggestions.
Planning/Volunteering
How can I help with the planning and execution of the event?
We’d love to get as many alumni involved as possible. When you turn-in your deposit to secure your spot in the parade, please check the box for “contact me about volunteering.”
I do not want to march in the parade, but I still want to attend and/or volunteer. Is that an option?
Yes! The more the merrier! More information about volunteering will be available in 2019. There will be a financial component for volunteers as well.
I cannot make the parade, is there a way I can still contribute to the success of the event?
Yes! Shoot-us an email at alumni@jerseysurf.org letting us know you won’t be able to attend but would still like to be involved and we’ll get in touch with you.
Design/Instruction
What will the uniforms look like?
The uniform design is not yet complete. We do know they will be warm and they will be designed so that you can wear the pieces again. More information will be announced in 2019.
What music will we be playing? What flags will we be spinning? Etc.
The parade “show” design is not yet complete. More information will be announced in 2019.
Can I be on staff/help design the uniforms/arrange the music etc.?
At this moment we are not looking for staff or show designers. More information will be announced in 2019.
REGISTER FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY ALUMNI PARADE CORPS HERE
Questions? Contact alumni@jerseysurf.org