The 230-member Seneca Valley Marching Band debuted its four-song 2019 program Aug. 22 during its annual pie festival. The event raised nearly $10,000 for the band.

JACKSON TWP — More than 1,500 people turned out Aug. 22 for an evening of pie and the first public performance of the Seneca Valley Marching Band's 2019 routine.

The annual Pie Fest is the band's largest fundraiser, with band members donating pies and drinks. This year, 353 pies yielding more than 1,800 slices — plus 1,200 ice cream cups — were consumed to raise nearly $10,000.

The event concluded with performances by the 230-member band, which debuted its four-song program.

“It was a great first performance for our students,” said band director Varden Armstrong. “After several weeks of hard work, it is so rewarding to see the joy on the faces of our students when it all pays off.”

The event also featured for the first time the district's fifth- and sixth-grade bands, whose 72 members joined the high school marching band to perform the national anthem.

Organizers said they were thankful for the 13-member committee which helped organize the event, as well as the 67 volunteers who assisted the night of the event.

“This was truly a team effort of our hardworking planning committee, band boosters, Seneca Valley band directors and administration, Pie Fest sponsors and volunteers and finally our band families,” said chairwoman Melissa White. “We are looking forward to an even bigger Pie Fest in 2020.”