Hempfield band sub sales set to resume next month

After a monthslong hiatus because of covid-19 restrictions, a major fundraiser for the Hempfield Area marching band is back.

Sub sales, a popular event in the Hempfield community, will resume May 15, band director Brian Tychinski confirmed. The May event will be the first since sales were suspended in September after Hempfield Area officials said proposed health and safety plans to make the subs did not adhere to Gov. Tom Wolf’s capacity limits at the time.

This month, Wolf lifted some restrictions and changed capacity limits to 25% for indoor events. Now, a small number of people will do food preparation in the high school cafeteria and field house concession area, while the majority will gather in the field house where they can social distance while assembling the subs.

Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said during a board meeting this week that capacity changes will allow for 300 individuals to gather in the field house.

In an email to the Tribune-Review, Tychinski said of being able to resume sub sales, “Hallelujah! What a long, strange trip it’s been to get back here.”

The May event, the only sale planned for this school year, will be a trial run, Tychinski said. It will be an opportunity for officials to train new people while working out any glitches in the plan. Other sub sales are tentatively scheduled for August, pending school board approval.

Money raised from the May event will go toward next year’s band trip, Tychinski said. Depending on the state of the pandemic at the time, tentative plans show the band traveling to Honolulu next year, where it could perform in the Honolulu Festival Parade, as well as at Pearl Harbor.

A small portion of sub sales goes toward the Hempfield Area Band Parents Association, which spends about $500 per student each year on meals, snacks, shirts, windbreakers and more. The organization also provides scholarships and supports the district with equipment purchases.

Tychinski added that he already received phone calls and emails about when sub sales would resume.

“Our customer base has been loyal to us for over 50 years. … We appreciate the support of each and every one,” Tychinski said.