Chicago 2024
Shelby County High School | Columbiana Middle School
Band Departments
The Pride of Shelby County Marching Band has been invited to perform in the 69th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Chicago, IL, on March 16th, 2024. We were one of twelve bands in the country selected to perform in this event. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for all of our students. As a result, it will be open to all 90+ of our instrumentalist students and auxiliaries, regardless of their current involvement in the marching band. I want to see all of our students have the opportunity to march in this event and for us to bring over 100 participants on this trip. This is the single most significant trip the band has ever been invited to, and we genuinely need everyone there to make it the best showing, including you and your parents.
The trip will be a safe, fun environment in one of the greatest cities in the world and will open up doors of opportunity for our students they have not experienced before. We will hit many of Chicago's best things, including the Willis Tower, museums, deep dish pizza, a Broadway show, exploring Grant Park, home of the Bean, and the magnificent mile.
As a fan of Chicago, I have visited the city numerous times and consider it my “Second City.” I truly hope everyone will travel with us. Below is preliminary information for you to plan for.
Travel Dates: Wednesday, March 13, 2024, through Sunday, March 17, 2024
(Departing Wednesday at 7 am and returning Sunday by 10 pm)
Cost: The prices listed below are based on occupancy:
Quad: $1213 ($1013 for students)
Triple: $1273
Double: $1383
Single: $1723
Deposit: The $300.00 non-refundable deposit on Thursday, September 19th, reserves your place on our trip. You will make your deposit online through the online portal. All payments will be made then, and fundraisers will be sent in through the school.
Fundraising:
Fundraiser #1- Sheet Fundraiser Beginning of September (Individual- Sent in October Payment)
Fundraiser #2- Holiday and Pecan Sale October 10-24 (Individual- Sent in November Payment)
In addition to this, we have three Papa Murphy’s Fundraisers totaling $15,000. This money will be directed toward the students traveling on the trip. If we have all 100 students traveling, that will take $150 off of every student traveling.
I aim to make every student's quad pricing $1013 or less and then allow them to fundraise with the sheets and pecan sales to bring that cost further down.
What’s Included:
Four-night hotel accommodations in Chicago
Charter Bus Round Trip Transportation
Professional Tour Director
Shirt and Sweatshirt
String backpack for all participants
All meals, excluding travel day meals and snacks on the road
Meals Include a Hotel Breakfast Buffet, Meal at Science and Industry, Hard Rock Cafe, Lunch after Parade, shed aquarium, Gino’s East Deep Dish Pizza Dinner, and DJ Dance Cruise aboard the Odyssey.
Admission to SkyDeck at Willis Tower
Admission to the Museum of Science and Industry
Admission to Shedd Aquarium
Admission to Field Museum
Admission to Blue Man Group
Free Time on the Magnificent Mile
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Travel Insurance for all travelers (You will purchase this as an add-on when you pay your deposit)
All admissions, entrance fees, taxes, and most gratuities as listed above.
Preliminary Itinerary:
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
7:00 am- Depart SCHS
Lunch and Dinner en route paid by travelers. We will also have two additional rest area stops.
10:00 pm- Arrive in Chicago
Thursday, March 14, 2024
9:00 am- Breakfast at Hotel
10:00 am- Depart for Sky Deck at Willis Tower, Museum of Science and Industry with Meal Voucher
6:00 pm- Hard Rock Cafe Dinner
8:00 pm- Blue Man Group Chicago
10:30 pm- Return to Hotel
11:00 pm- Lights out!
Friday, March 15, 2024
8:00 am- Breakfast at Hotel
9:00 am- Depart for Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum with Meal Voucher
4:30 pm- Free Time at Magnificent Mile
7:30 pm- Gino’s East of Chicago
9:30 pm- Return to Hotel
10:00 pm- Lights Out!
Saturday, March 16, 2024
8:00 am- Breakfast at Hotel
9:00 am- Load Buses and depart for the parade staging area (in uniform)
9:30 am- Parade Staging
12:00 pm- Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Boxed Lunch and pizza were provided after the parade back at the hotel
Depending on our arrival back to the hotel, this would be an excellent time to relax and pack your bags for tomorrows departure. If we have enough time and are in an area with attractions nearby, you can go in your chaperone groups around the hotel area.
5:00 pm- Depart for Navy Pier for the Dinner Cruise (attire is Fancy Sunday Best)
6:00 pm- Free Time at Navy Pier
Best opportunity for Chicago souvenir shopping
6:30 pm- Board ship as a group
7:00 pm- Dinner and DJ Dinner Cruise abroad Odyssey Lake Michigan
Buffet Dinner
10:00 pm- Return to hotel
11:00 pm- Lights out!
Sunday, March 17, 2024
6:00 am- Breakfast at Hotel
7:00 am- Load Busses
Lunch and Dinner en route are paid for by travelers. We will also have two additional rest area stops.
10:00 pm- Arrive at Shelby County High School