MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. — The Fourth of July is just two days away, and it's the perfect time to celebrate patriotism and community. Doing just that, with music, is Paducah's Community Band.
They will perform at the city's Independence Day celebration Thursday on the downtown Paducah riverfront. Tuesday evening in the Reidland Middle School band room, attendees could hear the sound of music, but also the sound of the community coming together to honor those who have fought for their freedoms and their independence.
"It's a different language. And you can express your feelings... You can tell a whole story with music," said Lindsey Alexander.
Mother-daughter duo Lindsey Alexander and Carely Milam are both a part of the band. They said it's a way to connect.
"Now I have something that I can share with my mom. That's kind of just me and her thing? Because most of the family's musical other than my grandparents," daughter Carely said.
"It's kind of like a legacy handing down because...my whole family's done it. So I'm proud that she has kind of followed in those footsteps," Alexander said.
It's strengthened their connection and brought them closer to their community,
"But for us to be able to go with this awesome group of people and be able to come in for three or four short rehearsals and play all this awesome music, represent our nation and represent those that served. You know, it's a very small token of what we can do for them. But we enjoy it wholeheartedly," Alexander said.
Paducah Community Band Director Spencer Sullivan said that's the beauty of this band, especially ahead of the Fourth of July celebration.
"It's a way for us to come together as a community as a country. And just to remember who we are and what we stand for, and what we believe in, and what we cherish so much about our country," he said.
"My parents are veterans, my brother's a veteran. Just seeing them be represented by the music that we play is like, an awesome feeling," Alexander said.
The Paducah Community Band is looking to play at more events and for more sponsors — they can get uniforms. Sullivan said they are scheduled to perform as normal on the Fourth of July at Paducah's Independence Day celebration, but if the weather is poor, they will perform the very next day before the rescheduled fireworks.
