Electric parade concept came from Florida

June 6, 2019

By David Nordby The Brillion News

25th annual parade is Friday

BRILLION – The Brillion Optimist Club’s Electric Parade has proven to be a good idea. Anything that ends up lasting 25 years must be a good idea.

Scott Buboltz thought the concept was such a great one that he and his wife, Brenda, pounded on the door of Wayne Pribbernow late at night to discuss it.

“(Scott and Brenda) had seen a nighttime parade down in Florida … They thought it was great,” Pribbernow recalls. “They came over to our house and banged on our door they were so excited about this nighttime parade idea.”

Pribbernow, and his wife, Faye, stayed up all night with the Buboltzs preparing a presentation for the parade.

“We had a board meeting that week … He wanted to have a presentation put together to put in front of the board,” Pribbernow said.

One of the aspects of the initial planning that has lasted as long as the parade was Buboltz’s suggestion to have the same participants as the ones who are in the Flag Day Parade.

The board at the time included Pribbernow, Buboltz, Matthew Bennett and Gaylord Unbehaun.

Bands this year

The 2d Marine Division Band from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina is the featured band this year.

Also known as “The Division’s Own,” the band was formed from elements of the 2d, 6th and 8th Marine Regiment Bands. They assembled for the first time in Wellington, New Zealand during World War II. Members of the band fought on Tarawa, Tinian, Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Saipan.

Since World War II, the 2d Marine Division Band has continued its wartime missions, participating in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars as military police, litter bearers, and security forces. The band deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as a security platoon in the Al Anbar Province, Al Assad, and Fallujah. Members of the band have also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving the division in various capacities in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The 2d Marine Division Band provides musical support for the five major commands and 47,000 Marines for whom Camp Lejeune is home.

“We work very well with the Appleton parade committee and have sponsorships for the bands through all of the local businesses here in town. The Electric Parade would not be what it is without the local businesses and foundations in this community,” Optimist Club member Sarah Pielhop said.

Other performers include: 484th Army Reserve Band, Brillion High School Band, Valders High School Band, Pulaski High School Band, Lakeside Lutheran High School Band, Americano Alumni Band and Wayside Morrison Band.

The Optimists are selling a commemorative shirt for the first time ever. Information about that is available on www.brillionoptimists.org or by stopping at Bullseye Printing.

Street Party

The fun on Friday night won’t stop at the end of the parade. There will be a street party from 10:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.

DJ Shane from All About Music will host the event.

Please see the complete story in the June 6, 2019 edition of The Brillion News.