Previously on Midlife Crisis Crossover:

The next five entries (to be posted over Memorial Day Weekend as quickly as time and endurance permit) represent a fraction of the pics my wife and I snapped. In many cases, encores and additional takes of specific subjects may be available if anyone out there is interested in seeing more, or is looking for a loved one who was in one of the many marching bands that day. For first-time MCC visitors, please note my wife and I are relative amateurs, obviously not trained professional photographers, sharing these from a hobbyist standpoint because of fun Internet joyfulness.

No parade is complete without marching bands. It’s right there in the parade regulation handbook: you must invite at least three different marching bands or else your parade will be subject to ridicule and foodstuffs hurled at you overhand.

If anyone out there in Internetland is interested in seeing additional photos of any of these bands, we took extras of a few of them. Just say the word and MCC will be happy to oblige with additional uploading and sharing and such. It’s all part of the service.

First in line: the Purdue University All-American Marching Band. Look closely for impressive baton-tossing action.

Purdue gets extra consideration because my son will be starting there in the fall. Favoritism works!

Also a personal favorite: the Marching Giants of Ben Davis High School. My wife numbered among them once.

The Red Devils of Richmond High School from Richmond, IN.

The Clearfield Area High School Bison Band from Clearfield, PA.

The Indianapolis Public Schools All-City Marching Band, comprised of students from all IPS high schools.

The Palatine High School Marching Band from Palatine, IL.

The Henryville Golden Band from Henryville, IN. Their appearance was especially poignant in the wake of a horrifying F4 tornado that leveled their school and large portions of the entire town in 2012.

The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps of Casper, Wyoming. Very serious in their craft.

The Southmont High School Royal Mountie Band from Crawfordsville, IN.

The Marching Mustangs of Edgewood High School from Ellettsville, IN.

Last and closest to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: its hometown players, the Speedway High School Band.

Thanks for viewing! Other chapters in this series may be viewed at the following links:

Part 1: the Special Guests
Part 2: Some of Your Qualifying Drivers
Part 3: Star Wars! and Other Fashion Choices
Part 5: Balloons and Floats for the Win