The West Virginia University Marching Band will participate in the 2001 Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Saturday, Sept. 1, officials announced today.

Through a generous contribution from an anonymous donor and the WVU College of Creative Artshome to the”Pride of West Virginia”the 350-member group will march in the annual Regatta parade and give a mini concert on the streets of Charleston. This years event begins at 10 a.m. along Kanawha Boulevard.

The 2001-2002 season marks the 100th anniversary of the WVU Marching Band, and the Regatta Parade will inaugurate a season of activities.

“The Sternwheel Regatta has a rich tradition in the KanawhaValley and in the state,”said John Hendricks, band director.”Unfortunately, we havent been able to schedule this event for the past decade, but we are very excited to be able to be there this year.”

The band last marched in the Regatta parade in 1990.

“The last time the WVU band marched in the parade we had fans lined up five people deep on the sidewalks,”said Regatta Commission President Jim Burdette, who was also president that year.”I get chills just thinking about what a great day it was. We know this will really help the Regatta this year.”

The performance will also help Southern West Virginians celebrate a new dawn for the Mountaineer football team, which kicks off the fall season under new head Coach Rich Rodriguez later that evening at BostonCollege.

In conjunction with the game, the Kanawha Valley Chapter of the WVU Alumni Association will host a game watching party at Embassy Suites.

The Association will also help kick off the Regatta at the groups annual Spirit Rally at the Charleston Marriott at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30. Last year nearly 1,000 supporters attended the pre-season rally.

“This is what it is all about,”said Stephen Douglas, executive director of the WVU Alumni Association.”The KanawhaValley loves WVU football and the Regatta. Coordinating more of these activities is something our alumni support and its a natural fit this year.”