A new mural honoring the legacy of the Gorham Pageant of Bands will be unveiled on Saturday, June 7, during a community celebration outside the Old Mill Restaurant on Main Street.
The event, hosted by the Marcus Whitman Band & Guard Boosters, runs from 12 to 2 p.m. and includes a performance by the Marcus Whitman Marching Wildcat Band, guest speakers, free refreshments, and a formal dedication ceremony at 1 p.m.
Titled “Bandstand,” the mural pays tribute to the pageant’s decades-long history with depictions of marching band uniforms and nods to key figures, including founder Jack Bullock and longtime director Robert Steele. Created in collaboration with Mural Mania, the artwork joins a series known for tracing the Erie Canal with the world’s longest mural trail.
Established in 1960, the Gorham Pageant of Bands was a beloved tradition for nearly 60 years. It brought together tens of thousands of student musicians from across Upstate New York and beyond. At its height, the event drew more than 20,000 spectators annually and stood as a cultural centerpiece for the Marcus Whitman community.
The mural project was entirely community-funded, with donations from residents, local businesses, and civic groups. The Gorham Rotary Club served as the Presenting Donor. Details about the mural and celebration are available on the Marcus Whitman Marching Wildcats’ Facebook page.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].