The Strollers is comprised of members of the Central Michigan Area Concert Band who want to participate further in the Maple Syrup Festival by making music outdoors for festival visitors. This group really enjoys playing music and that joy shines through in their performance.
You might be wondering how we got our name. Well… when the Strollers first started many years ago we used to “march” in the Maple Syrup Parade. That’s in quotes because we really, more or less, just strolled to the music. After a few years the nickname Strollers stuck. But it didn’t end there. Later, as some members aged, we started having some of the group ride a flatbed float while the younger or more energetic members strolled alongside. Soon those who still strolled realized that our comfortable fellow compatriots, riding on the float, were not out of breath and were much more comfortable. Our leader at the time, Bill Henderson, was able to find a trailer large enough for all of us to ride. Now we were no longer strolling, but the name was so firmly set that we were still known as the Strollers.
In 2018 Scott Radtke assumed the leadership of the group. We had a couple normal years and then COVID struck. When we were finally able to start up again in 2021, we began playing across from the City Park in a stationary location just prior to the Parade. This worked very well for our group. We felt like an old street band that just set up on the corner to play for anyone who would listen. We were also able to play a few more tunes. We even adopted a 1901 march “The Strollers” as our song and we use it as our opening and closing number each year. Playing in this group is always fun and we enjoyed seeing an appreciative audience gather around. Even though we no longer stroll in the parade, we are still known as the Strollers. We think has a better ring to it than “The Stationaries” or “The Motionless Street Corner Band”. Who knows, someday we may decide to take a stroll again.
Watch for us this year right across from the city park. We begin playing at about 1:45 pm. (Right before the Maple Syrup Festival parade). This can give you a reason to come early and find your perfect spot along the parade route. Hope to see you there.
The Strollers are generously sponsored by Kent Roth and the Shepherd Bar and Restaurant.
