The Sonic Boom of the South Pep Band will perform in the second annual South Jackson Proud Parade on Saturday. The procession will begin at 9 a.m. at the Save-A-Lot grocery store on McDowell Road and will end at Cardozo Middle School. The pep band, which consists of 40 members of the 200-member Sonic Boom of the South, go on special tours and assignments with the University’s president.
“Whenever possible the Sonic Boom supports functions, which allow our students to develop a sense of community with surrounding neighborhoods,” said Dowell Taylor, director of bands and music technology.
The event is sponsored by the Association of South Jackson Neighborhoods along with Jackson leaders like councilman Aaron Banks and clergy. There will also be dynamic performances from all major high schools in the Jackson area. However, the Sonic Boom Pep Band is the parade’s headliner.
“Through our participation, we hope that the south Jackson community views this as a show of appreciation for their consistent support for ‘Thee I Love’ Jackson State University,” Taylor said.
Organizers told WAPT news that the parade is in response to an uptick in crime and is intended to unite south Jackson residents and build a stronger and safer community.
“It’s a great way for everyone to come together and show pride in our city,” said Ernest Ward, president of ASJN. “When we stick together, the possibilities of crime decrease.”