DAY 4 -- SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1998
Another day dawns on the Virginia Beach coast, starting the final full day of the band's trip. The travelers from Tampa ate another buffet breakfast at Angelo's in the hotel lobby, then packed their suitcases
and reloaded them on the buses for the trip to Busch Gardens and, eventually, home.
Dancerettes Casey McGovern and Shea Graff smile with glee as they hold the envelope containing $38, their award for being overall champions in the "Name That Showtune 2" bus game.
The three buses arrived at the Busch Gardens exit 45 minutes after departing from the Howard Johnson. Since BG had re-opened from the winter season that weekend, the wait in traffic was nearly as long as the drive to
get there.
In the mid-afternoon, after experiencing the attractions such as the Alpengeist rollercoaster, Fiesta-Val participants enjoyed servings of "Drachen Fried Chicken" in the Black Forest private picnic region of the park.
(It is uncertain as to whether or not any band members went on any other rollercoasters immediately following the lunch.)
Band member Emily Brinkley, right, poses with junior flautist Colleen Rice and her prize possession in the arcade area.
Dancerettes display their first place superior trophy to the audience.
Senior Andy Bennett stands proudly with his trophy, awarded to him by the judges for outstanding soloist on his French horn. Freshman violinist Jesse Hsu was also so honored. Andy and Jesse were the only instrumentalists
to receive the recognition throughout the entire festival.
DAY 5 -- SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1998
The buses successfully made their way through South Carolina and eventually re-entered Florida early that morning. Students crammed into a McDonald's in the north Florida town of Starke for breakfast,
coincidentally the exact same restaurant visited by Hillsborough during the 1995 trip to Washington, D. C. As the Big Red traveled through Alachua County en route to Tampa, the trip was about to draw to a close.
The students were glad to be back home, at noon that Sunday. Parents were waiting and students were eager to rest in their own beds again. Freshman orchestra student John DiMarco presents the Grand Champion trophy
to Mr. Farmer in the HHS parking lot for everyone to see.