One of Iowa’s premier high school marching bands had one of the most important days in their illustrious history during the Tulip Time festival in Pella.

The Marching Dutch received their official invitation to the 2023 Rose Parade from Committee President Amy Wainscott to start the Saturday afternoon Volks Parade.

Wainscott and her husband visited Pella during the festival to learn more about the band and its history, and to see them perform ahead of their trip to Pasadena, California in January. She participated in street scrubbing and other activities during Tulip Time.

Following the presentation on the Tulip Toren, the Marching Dutch performed all three of their songs for marching in front of a packed audience on the grandstand along Franklin Street and for others surrounding the parade route.

Those who want to help the Marching Dutch make the trip to the Rose Parade can make donations to their GoFundMe page — all giving is tax deductible through the Pella Athletic Booster Club, and all proceeds benefit all 211 students planning to go.