For as long as 63-year-old Hendy County Commissioner Emery "Rowdy" Howard can remember, the LaBelle High School Cowboy Marching Band has been a centerpiece of the parade ushering in the Swamp Cabbage Festival each year.
But this year, the festival’s 60th, that’s very likely not going to be the case.
The band says it is not participating this year in protest over the requested $50 entry fee for non-profits. In a post to social media, the band's director said it wasn’t about the actual cost of the fee, but the decision to not participate was about principle.
Band director Alex Burden said the school bears the costs for new music and parade banners at festival time. And some students, he added, must take time away from jobs for practice and participation in the parade.
The Cowboy Marching Band's participation each year is done free of charge. So asking for an entry fee, Burden said, wasn't right.
And now, in an act of solidarity with the Cowboy Marching Band, LaBelle Middle School Marching Band and the local Veterans' of Foreign Wars group have also cancelled their participation.
After Burden's post, social media lit up with many criticizing the organizers of the Swamp Cabbage Festival. Organizers posted a reminder on social media that parades do come at a cost: “We are not a big organization, we are your neighbors working year-around to create something meaningful for everyone.”
The commenting option under the organzier's post was disengaged, adding to the already palpable ire over the situation.
A day later, organizers of the festival explained to WGCU that what has happened is much more nuanced than the school band director is intimating.
In an email to WGCU News, the organizers said the school never submitted the parade entry form so that a sponsor could be found to pick up the costs. Even so, the email said, organizers decided to waive the entry fee if, quote, “Mr. Burden would simply submit an entry application and answer his phone.”
The VFW believes fault falls on the organizers.
"We are standing with the school," said Bethany Mudge when a call to VFW Post 10110 was made Friday. "...We've been doing it for [decades]. This is a very sad situation."
Mudge said there is more to the story than what is being posted on social media:
"It's not very transparent, and the miscommunication that they're claiming is on the Swamp Cabbage committee's part," Mudge said. "...We just don't like to be involved. ...The purpose of this is just to stand with the children. We would support that band every year, all year round. We sponsor those kids, you know, and they're our future, and it's uncalled for."
Regardless who is right in the now growing rift, the idea of the Cowboy Marching Band not performing at next Saturday's parade, is crushing to people like Okeechobee County Commissioner Howard.
"So they won't be in my lifetime — I believe, it will be first time that they will not be marching in the swamp cabbage parade."
Howard is far from alone and called on fellow commissioners to back his proposal to have county staff send a letter to the organizers expressing concern about the what is happening between the band and organizers.
All voted in favor of a letter except for Commissioner Mitchell Wills. His no vote was made out of principal. He said fingers cannot just be pointed at organizers. Like Howard, he is very disturbed at the notion of the Cowboy Marching Band not participating.
"I love the band. The band's been incredible — the stuff they've done. Would I love to see them? Absolutely — absolutely and anyone would have gladly paid fifty bucks — anybody," he said.
Wills believes the issue goes deeper. When the parade was born it was done so by the then newly formed Jaycees in 1966. The Swamp Cabbage Festival was operated by the Jaycees for a long time. For the last decade or so, no civic organization has taken over the event.
This year, Wills said, there are now only three people taking on the Herculean task. Adding to the strain of it all is that many musicians at the event will no longer do so free of charge.
Wills said in the end the seniors in the marching band are the ones losing out.
"Guess what? It ain't about the band director, it ain't about the high school. It's about the seniors this year that will not have the opportunity to march in a parade — like [other seniors] have forever. Those are the ones that my heart breaks for — it is those kids. Next year, sophomores, juniors, they'll get the opportunity. Again, these seniors don't and I hate that."
The LaBelle High School principal did return WGCU News requests for additional information and comments by Friday afternoon.
Hendry County schools superintendent Michael Swindle had this to say in an email to WGCU: "Thanks for reaching out concerning this issue. This is a very unfortunate situation for our community and school system. At this point, we are just focusing on delivering strong academic growth to our students and promoting a positive campus experience for our students and staff.
The high school band already has another performance booked for that time where they will be awarded a very nice donation for their time. It is my greatest hope that the Swamp Cabbage parade and festivities provides a great experience for everyone involved."
When asked in another email about the middle school, Swindle had this to say: "The middle school band members decided to stand in solidarity with the high school band and not participate. They have upcoming competitions and will devote their time and energy in preparing for those events."
It remains to be seen if even more will join the schools and VFW between now and the Feb. 21 parade.
The theme of this years event is "Denim and Diamonds." The parade begins at 10 a.m.
The opening ceremony will follow at Barron Park. Two full day of activities are planned. A link to the group’s website with a list of highlights and performers can be found at WGCU.org.https://www.labelleswampcabbagefestival.org/history
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