People who play an instrument can still join the Palisades’ own Oom PaPa Marching Band, a group of local musicians that was founded in 1975 by local realtors Sandy Schaffer and Louise and Gene Romig. The group continually evolves as it mixes longtime members with new members. Co-chairs Phyllis Schlessinger and Margot Morrison are both original members, and Schlesinger will be marching with her clarinet for the 41st time. “I’ll keep doing it as long as I can,” she says. “We’d love to have new people. I’m sure there are a lot of parents out there who used to be in bands in high school. It’s a lot of fun.”
Photo: Shelby Pascoe
The band also welcomes flag and banner holders and younger children who walk behind holding small American flags. Re- hearsals will be held at Pampas Ricas and Ocampo on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. “The evening before the parade, we march through the Hunting- ton and everybody comes out to greet us,” says Schlessinger.
Wearing their white shirts and red hats, and led by veteran drum major and band director Mark Eisenberg, the band will play “76 Trombones,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Louie, Louie” in the parade.
For information on joining the Oom PaPa Band, contact Phyllis at (310) 613- 0194 or Margot at (310) 459-3516.
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