The Lewis Cass Marching Kings have showcased their talents in many settings, but a new opportunity awaits the students in 2026: Ireland.

The Marching Kings were accepted to participate in Dublin's St. Patrick's Day parade and will spend a week in Ireland from March 11 through 18.

The trip is being planned as a music department trip so the school choir could also attend. The choir would be able to perform at local churches, a festival and possibly march in the parade and hand out candy as the band performs.

Hailee Roeske, a junior drum major, said she was shocked when she learned about the trip. Her mother, Karla Roeske, the Lewis Cass Band Boosters secretary, said the announcement gave her chills.

"The culture they will get to experience -- they will have days when they aren't marching and visit parts of Dublin, parts of Ireland," said Karla Roeske. "We have a lot of kids in this band who have probably never left Cass County. This is an amazing opportunity that band happens to bring about."

She remembered traveling to Texas and Florida when she was a Marching King band member in the 1990s.

A meeting was held on Monday night so that students and families could get more information about the trip and itinerary.

So far, 80 students and chaperones have expressed interest, Roeske said. She said the program hopes to expand that to 140 people so that they will be eligible for better group pricing. Those interested in being part of the trip have until Nov. 22 to commit.

At the moment, the trip will cost $4000 per person, though Roeske said she hopes fundraising will trim the cost to half that amount.

The Marching Kings have already started the fundraising process. They have been collecting shoes and have approximately 28 bags full. They are working with a Florida organization called Funds 2 Orgs that will purchase the shoes from the band, paying by the pound. Funds 2 Orgs will then proceed to donate the shoes to those in need.

Roeske said the band will continue collecting shoes until approximately Oct. 18 (though, due to the hurricanes, Funds 2 Orgs may be delayed picking up the shoes, in which case collecting will continue.) New or gently used shoes may be donated by delivering them to the band barn (behind the school) between 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They can also give the shoes to a band or choir student to bring to the school.

Roeske said anything and everything that the community could provide would help get the students a step closer to their goal.

"I know it's going to be a lot of money because it's out of the country but we really want everyone to have the opportunity to go," she said. "The more help, the better."

Hinshaw said the band likes to take a big trip every four years so each class of students gets to experience one. During Hinshaw's time as director, the band has visited Walt Disney World twice and participated in the 2015 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

"The band has always liked to take trips, see new things, get the kids out of Walton," he said.

He said the trips are phenomenal experiences for the students and it is fantastic to see them interacting with each other and new things outside of a school setting.

"We have great kids. The choir has great kids. The music program here is strong and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something like this," he said. "We are super excited about it. We hope the community can rally around these students and help them go."

This year's Marching King band is made up of 14 seniors who Hinshaw called strong, both as leaders and musicians. He said there was a lot of excitement and they had a good show heading into the state tournament.

Of the remaining 34 band members, just five are juniors. The rest are underclassmen.

Allara Henry, a junior flute player, praised the young students for their passion and dedication.

"They've showed up for practice and they have been focused and are working really hard," she said.

Hailee Roeske agreed.

"We are definitely putting in the work this year," she said. "There's not a lot of experience but I don't think you could tell that from watching our shows. We look like a more experienced band because we have a lot of kids who have been working very, very hard to get where we are at right now."

Regionals begin Saturday at Lafayette Jefferson High School. To advance to the state finals on Nov. 9, Lewis Cass must move on to the semi-state on Oct. 26 and finish in the top 10.

This year's state finals are delayed due to Taylor Swift concerts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Marching Kings are looking for an elusive state championship, having finished second in class D the past two seasons. They last won a championship in 2021.

Karla Roeske said she hoped the community understands how much time and hard work the students and band administrators put into the band.

"Even the parents are out here multiple nights per week working on props," she said. "The kids are up here practicing. (Band) is just as difficult as any sport out there and we are really, really proud of what they have accomplished and can't wait to see what comes next."