Six Flags Great America St. Louis was a buzz Saturday as the Panther Marching Band made its first performance for the park visitors.

“Hot Time” (Eastern traditional music), “Everybody’s Everything,” by Santana and the Six Flag’s theme song “One Flag, Six Flags” were some of the many songs performed by the Panther Marching Band on Saturday.

The marching band performed through the majority of the park and even stopped to perform at the ticket gate. Although the parade was only fifteen minutes long, the band was well received by the park’s staff and audience.

“The performance went really well. We got compliments by all the employees. And I thought we represented the University very well,” said Don Fisher, a senior drum major.

The crowd had a positive reaction to the marching band. “There were a lot of waves, smiles and thumbs up. People enjoyed the music,” said Libby Brauer, senior drum major.

To spectators the marching band’s performance might have seemed like just a means of entertainment for Six Flags St. Louis, but for the band it was more.

“The day was designed to be more of a celebration of the end of band camp,” Fisher said.

The marching band has been rehearsing daily since Aug. 15 at Pre-Season Camp, so most people involved felt well prepared for their big performance on Saturday.

“The band is used to performing for thousands of people each season,”said Barry Houser, the Panther Marching Band Director.

The marching band earned the honor of performing at Six Flags St. Louis by sending in an application and CD of their performances.

“The process is not extremely rigorous, but more of a safety net on Six Flags part so that bands that perform in the park are good bands,” Houser said.

Houser said he expects them to perform at Six Flags St. Louis annually, because of the positive feedback.

“Based on the response we received from Six Flags, absolutely (the Panther Marching Band may perform at Six Flags again),” said Houser. “It is a great way to celebrate the success of our pre-season camp while providing positive exposure to our great University.”

Samantha Bilharz can be reached at 581-7942 or slbilharz@eiu.edu.