Autumn Leaf Festival Parde

Weeks before the Autumn Leaf Festival, Kate Smith (11) focused on honing her skills as drum major—practicing conducting, baton movement, and keeping time with the band’s rhythm. On September 27, 2025, she stepped into her leadership role, directing her fellow musicians in the sixty-first annual parade by giving cues, ensuring their steps were in sync, and listening closely to the timing of the instruments. “The most challenging part of leading is finding the balance between being a leader and not being too controlling,” Smith explained. The Autumn Leaf Festival, founded in 1964, is the town’s original celebration of the changing fall colors and continues to bring the community together each year. 

Preparation for the Autumn Leaf Festival parade began on the first day of school and grew more intense with outdoor practices as the event approached. On the morning of the parade, Band Director Jace Rowland led the Cascade High School marching band through one final rehearsal, which included a “shoe check” to ensure both safety and uniformity. The check revealed that three students were not wearing proper footwear, and to maintain consistency and avoid injuries, they were given loaner marching shoes for the event. Rowland explained that “anytime that you are performing as an ensemble, it’s never about an individual. It’s not only about looking good but making sure that there is nothing that distracts the audience.” He also emphasized that “how they sound is equally as important as how they’re dressed,” noting that roughly sixty students marched together with both band and cheer. The crisp black-and-red uniforms—funded by the Band Boosters, a parent group that provides uniforms, music, lessons, and other support for the program—cost about $600 each. During the parade itself, Rowland stepped back from directing, leaving leadership to drum major Kate Smith while he focused on “microadjustments.” The band performed three different songs, though for Rowland the most stressful part of the day was the smoke in the air and the lingering concern that the parade might be canceled at the last minute. 

Cascade High School was the first high school group to march in the Autumn Leaf Festival, with the cheer squad leading the way and performing routines in time with the band. For freshman Ava Week (9), the most nerve-wracking part of cheering in the parade was “trying not to trip on a pothole” while also dodging children who darted into the route. Like the band, the cheer squad relied on the experience of seasoned upperclassmen to support newer members, with Week looking to cheer captain Samantha Crossley (11) for direction. 

The woodwinds were the first section of the Cascade High School band in the marching lineup, with Mauricio Ramos (11), Josselyn Ramirez (10), and Alaine Solly (8) serving as essential participants. Band Director Jace Rowland explained that for younger students like Solly, the music is brand new, and they rely on the guidance of high school musicians who already know the tunes. During the parade, Ramos played the flute, noting, “I chose my instrument because my family members play either flute or violin.” Ramirez added that it usually takes “two to three class periods to memorize a song as a band.” 

Next in the parade lineup was the brass section, featuring Kyrianna Ross (11) on the euphonium and Carver Robbins (10) on trumpet. Robbins explained that he chose the trumpet because it “takes minimal effort,” noting that he is able to stay focused on his instrument and keep time during the parade, though he admitted to being more easily distracted during rehearsals. Ross shared that she prepares for performances like Autumn Leaf by practicing outside of school, often going to the band room at least twice a week to play for about half an hour. 

Closing out the lineup was the percussion section. Senior Anton Dahlstedt (12) described playing the bass drum as “a very easy job,” explaining that he works as part of the team by watching fellow percussionist Chris Roseman (11). The final member of the marching band, senior Kai Krejci (12), took a more serious approach, noting that he is constantly “listening and watching and checking if we are in time.” Though the percussion section comes last, their role is essential—they set and maintain the beat that every student marches to, anchoring the rhythm of the entire band.