Staff writer
The Rube Band will meet at 10:40 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Main and Walnut streets outside of Sew What Quilt Shop to practice before playing in the Old Settlers’ Day Parade at 11 a.m.
All musicians are welcome to join the band in the parade. Anyone who needs music can call Bob Brookens at (620) 382-2133 during normal business hours. He will also have music at the pre-parade practice. The band will play “Show Boy,” he said.
“I don’t think the Rube Band has ever played anything else,” Brookens said.
The Rube Band has been a traditional part of the parade for decades. After participation declined in the 1990s, the band took a 10-year break, Brookens said. The tradition was revived for the Old Settlers’ Day Parade last year. Brookens said people told him they were glad to see its return.
“I like that it’s impromptu,” he said. “It’s fun. It’s a chance to get an instrument out. I’ve played a half-dozen instruments over the years, depending on what’s needed, and that’s fun.”
Brookens said he plans to play the trombone this year, because trombonists are usually in short supply. On Sept. 14, he was trying to recruit other musicians, including his law partner Keith Collett, to play in the parade.
“I had the tuba ready for you last year, and you didn’t play it,” Brookens told Collett.