The Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band tour to Kāpiti and Wellington was a ‘stunning success on all fronts’ says, Major Larry Keim, Chair of the Kāpiti US Marines Trust.
The band, normally based in Hawaii, paid its third visit to the Kāpiti Coast to support the Paraparaumu RSA commemorate ANZAC Day on April 25 and stayed in the region for eight days, performing every day and drawing record crowds to most events.
The tour kicked off at the ‘Dawn Parade’ at the War Memorial in Paraparaumu where Band Leader, Col. Andres Navarro addressed a crowd of over 2000 locals. The band then marched with Kiwis in the parade and at a subsequent citizens’ parade which over 1000 people attended. An 11am free concert @ McLean Park also brought a record crowd.
On Sunday April 26, the Band were guests of the Kāpiti US Marines Trust for the Day, turning it on for Paekākāriki locals in a packed St Peter’s Hall, where their Marines’ brothers first performed 84 years ago during WWII. We were also delighted to show them around most of the Marines’ heritage sites in Paekākāriki, Whareroa Farm and Queen Elizabeth Park.
A new feature of this year’s tour was three school concerts to: Kapiti College, Otaki College and Our Lady of Kapiti primary school.