King Frost! Say the name in Berks County and you think of Hamburg, all lit up and full of people, smelling pizza, fallen leaves, diesel fumes, and throbbing to the beat of several dozen bands. The Jaycees have been handling the parade since its revival in 1964 and are excited to celebrate 50 years of this great event. Held on the last Saturday of October each year for the past 49 years, the historic parade will begin its route down the streets of Hamburg at 7:00 on Saturday October 26th.
The Hamburg Jaycees have been in charge of the parade since 1964. That year there were 2,200 people in line of march, more than 50 floats, and even three Mummer string bands from Philadelphia, as well as the fondly-remembered mill and factory groups. King Frost is still the #1 night of the year for Hamburg. The weather is usually kind, the bands are great, there is plenty of food and a two-mile route to find a good vantage point, and extra police provide vigilance and improved traffic conditions before and after the parade.
On Friday Oct. 4, the Shillington-based Uptown Band featuring Erich Cawalla and Jenifer Kinder will join the Hamburg Jaycees in presenting a dance at the Hamburg Field House to celebrate the historic 50th Anniversary of the ‘King Frost Parade.’ Proceeds from this dance will benefit the King Frost Parade.
Since the band’s inception during the Berks Jazz Fest 2006, The Uptown Band has become one of the busiest bands in the Northeast. With the release of their debut original CD ‘Waiting for Her’, they have grown beyond their regional roots and have become known nationally and throughout many other parts of the world. TV-wise, they have performed twice on NBC New York’s Late Night talk show ‘All Night With Joey Reynolds’. In addition to having their own listing on Pandora Radio, the group’s songs can be heard on the national cable system Music Choice and DMX Satellite Radio. In the U.S., their music has been featured on numerous terrestrial radio stations in such markets as Quad Cities, Iowa (KMXG 96.1 FM) and Chicago, where WLFM 87.7 FM spun their holiday recording ‘Merry Christmas Baby.’ Stirring up an explosive, melodic and grooving mix of Funk, Rock, Jazz, and Pop, the band has headlined hundreds of shows and numerous charitable functions. They are currently working on their sophomore album to be released in early 2014 which will feature special guest, Trumpet Virtuoso and one of the founders of the legendary ‘Tower of Power’, Greg Adams.
Tickets for this event are $15.00 per person if purchased in advance or $20.00 at the door. Doors open at 8:00 music will run from 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM. The event is BYOB. If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Derek Leibensperger, call (484) 336-4080 or e-mail derek@leibenspergerfuneralhome.com.
