Malvern Memorial Parade is Looking for Garage Band Rockers

The organizers of the annual are looking for a few good bands.

Local garage bands, especially those with younger members, are to perform in Memorial Park from about 4 to 6 p.m. The organizers want to communicate that the day's festivities include more than just the actual parade procession.

After 143 years, the team behind the event is changing up the formula a bit, according to parade committee member Rich Lee.

"In past years, it's pretty much just been a parade, ceremony in park and the community cakewalk. This year, we worked really hard to get more organizations in Malvern to be part of it," Lee said. "The mothers club will sponsor a donation drive for the troops. There will be a 5K run, from which the wounded warriors fund benefits. And there will be a farmers market in the park all day."

In more than 20 years helping to run the parade, Lee said the planning committee has tried many ways to draw people to the park in the afternoon.

"What happens is, it’s much easier to watch the parade along Monument or King Street and then go back home," he said. "Over the years, we've had reenactments of the Civil War and Revolutionary War. That worked well, but we got complaints about the noise, the cannons firing. This year, we tried something, try something different."

There are no strict rules for what types of bands can apply, but Lee said it would be good to have "a rock band the kids would listen to."

Bands are asked to contact Lee as soon as possible to volunteer for the opportunity to play. Electricity will be available, and each band will likely be able to play a 45-minute set. Some bands will perform before the parade begins, and others will take the stage after. For contact information and other details, visit the .