and end with The LIGHT SHOW. . .

Crimson Cadet 2017 Light show

---

 This is my FAVORITE time of year!!! The cooler weather, jackets, finally the bugs leaving us alone at the field, and the lights.  If you are a freshman, you are thinking - what lights? 

The light . . . . SHOW!!!!  October 26th

The last week of regular season is SENIOR week.  I am SOOOO looking forward to this as well as my senior, Emma.   

There is a lot going on during this week but to celebrate the year is the half-time performance with the stadium lights out. Planning should start soon so I am giving you a heads up because you don't want to spend the night before scrambling for this one.  

Ask your cadet what their costume will be - every week until they decide!  But start prepping NOW! 

I have included a link above for last year's light show (maybe - it hasn't been working).  This is SOOOOOOOO much fun to watch!  It's a combination of Halloween and walking Christmas trees rolled into one! The kids come to the last game of the year (Skiatook again this year) dressed up in whatever costume they can come up with.  Granted it HAS to work around their ability to play their instrument... but I have seen some creative ones.  Bacon.... Jake from State Farm.... lots of various animals.... and our fearless leader from last year brought her light saber in order to conduct in the dark!

What will be needed are strands of battery operated lights.  The best way to get these is to use one of those 40% off coupons over a period of a few days to get some from Hobby Lobby ($5-10 each without the coupon) or similar.  They should be battery operated (very important) (and helpful to have switches that the cadets can turn on and off).  Amazon has some cool ones that are light ropes, blinking, various colors, etc.  Easy to go around big and small bodies.... :) Also, a cool thing is to think of ways to attach to big instruments if you have a base drum, tuba or mellophone player!

Don't forget the shoes - it is nice for the kids to have lights on their feet so they can see where they are going - not the easiest thing to attach, though.  I am still working on this one.  I bought itty bitty pill lights that I tried using last year - but could not find a way to make them stay attached.  If you wrap a small flashlight to their shoes, it does pinch and become uncomfortable for your child with all the marching they do. 

Whatever you choose, the hard part is coming up with a way to attach them to the costume in just a few short minutes.  Velcro anyone?  (I do have a kiddo that dislikes the sound but will have to deal once a year. For my sake!)  They will not be able to put the lights on their clothing until the actual performance so you (or another cadet) will only have a few minutes to help out before they take the field.  BRING extra safety pins... just sayin'!

So, the challenge is before you.  What will you come up with?  If you have any questions, please feel free to holler at myself or any other parent. (**if anyone has any good ideas for attaching small lights to shoes, please let me know!) 

don't forget to watch last year's video above!!
​my apologies, I tried putting the link but if it doesn't work, search:
                       YouTube for Collinsville Crimson Cadets 2017 light show

FYI - anyone working concessions, they will close the sales windows for volunteers to come watch the performance - and to make it safer and not have anyone walking around the stands while it's dark because the stadium lights are completely turned off -

We still need volunteers!! Please sign up using the Charms App!  As of today:  

*cook is needed (one)
*food line persons (two needed)
*prep and restock which is done before the game and after 4th quarter (two needed)
*roamers (two)  
*window cashier (three)
​
This is a great opportunity for freshman parents to get some hours for next year for their cadets.  It is nice that the Senior parents should have a night off for this one evening!