The Greater St. Petersburg Area Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Marching Band (The “Rounders”) is, as the name implies, the very first band of its type, and quite possibly one of the largest permanent marching bands in the world. The group consists of former high school, college and military marching band members. The ages of the band members range from 18 to 85. Members come from all over Florida and the southeastern U.S. just to perform each year.

The band was founded in 1983 by Bill Findeison, then the owner of Bringe Music in St. Petersburg and former band director of Lakewood High School, and, Herb Mellany, former Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Festival of States. Bill and Herb believed that former marching band members never lose the desire to perform just one more time! On a hunch, they put an ad in the St. Petersburg Times and invited former band members to come to one rehearsal and then march in the St. Petersburg Festival of States parade. Seventy-five musicians and auxiliary members showed up that first year and had a blast as Director Bill Findeison put the musicians through their paces (as he still does to this day!). Bob Abben instructed the very first auxiliary groups which consisted of an honor guard plus majorettes, swing flags and a flag line. The band proudly marched down the street playing and performing to Stars and Stripes Forever, lead by drum major John Wilson, a local Fox affiliate television anchor.

For the next several years, the band’s membership grew steadily and enthusiastically, eventually leveling off at around 500 members. As the band found its niche in local civic festivals, its quality continued to improve even though no formal auditions of any kind were used. Highly experienced musicians and visual performers worked side by side with folks who considered themselves quite rusty but the end result was always magical and each year the band executed more challenging and exciting music, drill and color guard routines.

Still, for the first 10 years of the band’s existence, its season was limited to about eight weeks during the Spring when the group marched exclusively as part of the events associated with the St. Petersburg Festival of States. In 1989, Bob Abben retired, and J.F. Thomas, a former Pinellas County band director, began overseeing the auxiliary groups. At about the same time, Fred Gebhardt, an esteemed drill designer with many years of experience, began writing the band’s field show drill which he continued to do each season until his death in 2002.

The band still considers their performances in support of the St. Petersburg Festival of States to be central to their existence. But, as the band matured it became obvious that performing outside St. Petersburg was its destiny.

In May, 1994, the band took its first major trip to Portland Oregon to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of the One More Time Around Again Marching Band, a group that was started after their soon-to-be director came to St. Pete and saw the Rounders in action! While in Portland, the band performed in the Portland Grand Floral Parade and field show. During their free time, members enjoyed sightseeing and even took in some snow skiing on Mt. Hood! With its first major trip under the band’s belt, the group was officially bitten by the travel bug! Another trip was immediately placed on the radar!

During the 1995 season, the Rounderettes dance and drill team made their debut as a new auxiliary unit and the group’s kick-line quickly became a crowd favorite!

In April 1996, the band joined forces with “the mouse” and took part in the Main Street Parade at Walt Disney World in Orlando, which included a stand-up concert in front of Cinderella’s castle. Following the performance, everyone enjoyed the rest of the day roaming the theme park and acting like kids!

In April, 1998, the Tampa Bay area experienced baseball fever as their new major league baseball team had their inaugural season – the Devil Rays (the word 'Devil' was dropped from the team name in 2008, but that's another history lesson!). At the team’s second home game, the band performed its entire field show in the outfield to an appreciative pre-game crowd! That same year, the band traveled to San Antonio, Texas and marched in their civic celebration, Fiesta! Performances included: The Parade of Flowers, Fiesta Flambeau Illuminated Night Parade (both parades averaging 600,000 spectators) and a field show in Alamo Stadium for 40,000 screaming marching band fans! This trip also turned out to be a reunion with the OMTAAMB band from Portland as they also traveled to San Antonio that same year to march in one of the parades.

Also in 1998, the auxiliary added two new sections – one permanently, and one strategically for this (and all future) major trips. The permanent addition was the Letter Carriers who spell out SECOND TIME AROUNDERS. This group became a wonderful backdrop to the entire marching formation, whether on the field or in parades. The second group was the National Flag Pageant. Used only during years when a major band trip is planned, this group carries every U.S. flag that has ever flown over American soil all the way back to the 13 Original Colonies. The pageantry and patriotic spectacle of this group, made up mostly of friends and family members, adds to the band’s overall visual statement. The addition of these two groups brought the total number of auxiliary groups to nine.

In January of 2001, the band marched in the Gasparilla/Super Bowl Parade in Tampa, Florida. In March, the band traveled abroad for the first time, taking in the festivities of St Patrick's Day in Dublin, Ireland! Unfortunately, Ireland had an outbreak of foot and mouth disease and the major civic parade was cancelled, but the band found many other unique performance opportunities while in Dublin – including a stand-up concert at a shopping mall, a horse race track, and even a local Guinness beer brewery!

In keeping with the theme of a less than perfect trip, the band hotel experienced a late-night fire and many band members had to be evacuated into the chilly (40 degree) night! Luckily, nearby hotels offered hot tea and a place out of the elements until the fire department gave the all clear several hours later! Even with a few setbacks, the trip was a great experience and many members who had never been abroad extended their trips so they could see Europe.

In 2004, in addition to our St. Petersburg performances, the band also performed their field show to a packed stadium during the Opening ceremonies of the Dunedin, Florida Highland Games - the Military Tattoo. Extended travel plans for the band took a decidedly laid back approach that year. An in-state trip sent the band to Key West, Florida to march in the Conch Republic Independence Day Celebration. In addition to the parade, the group performed a stand-up concert in famed Mallory Square.

In 2005, building on the success of the first visit, the band enthusiastically returned to San Antonio, Texas to perform at Fiesta! All three performances (Parade of Flowers, Flambeau Night parade and the field show) were high points for the band and it was great being on familiar turf where the audiences were so supportive and welcoming.

2006 found the band returning to Walt Disney World – this time performing a parade through the park and a stand-up concert at EPCOT.

2007 marked our SILVER ANNIVERSARY! In addition to St Petersburg Festival of States activities, the band performed at the opening ceremony of the St Petersburg Grand Prix and traveled to Savannah, Georgia to march in their St Patrick's Day Parade - the second-largest St. Patty's Day Parade in the United States! To celebrate the 25th anniversary, the band held a formal gala attended by 600 people at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Unbeknownst to the band, four representatives from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade were smuggled into the party and on cue ‘disrupted’ the program with a special announcement. The band had been invited to perform in the 2008 Macy’s Parade! 500 bands applied; 10 were selected; and, we were band number ONE to be chosen for 2008! The banquet’s formal program never resumed as a spontaneous celebration ensued!

2008 was an unforgettable year for the Rounders capped off with a performance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. During the Spring, the band performed in the standard Festival of States events, along with a field show exhibition at the Dunedin Highland Games Military Tattoo. Because it was well know that the band was headed to Macy's, audiences were extra enthusiastic and supportive. The band took the summer off and then re-grouped in September to work toward the big day. A Saturday band camp was held to learn their Herald Square marching routine (drill written by Greg Martin), and then after four additional practices a video tape of the show was made and presented to Macy's for their early review - a requirement for all marching bands. The taping, in full Macy's uniform, was done behind the Mahaffey theatre in St. Pete, along the waterfront. In October, the band performed an exhibition field show at the Tarpon Springs Outdoor Music Festival for a huge and appreciative crowd. In November, the Macy's performance was fine-tuned and, finally, the group boarded chartered planes and headed for the Big Apple! On parade day the band found themselves standing in Herald Square at 3:30 a.m. for a scheduled sound check and marching rehearsal which was to prove to Macy's officials that the band could march in and hit their mark on the big Macy's star. After one practice run, they nailed it on the very next try! From there, the band traveled to Planet Hollywood for a hot breakfast, dance music, and a live-DJ. Then, around 6:30 a.m., it was down to the parade staging area to wait, and wait. But it was worth every minute. With near perfect weather, 512 Rounders will NEVER forget the feeling of standing at 77th St. and Central Park West and hearing the booming voice over the loud speaker say, "Second Time Arounders, please join the parade!" Three million people lined the parade route that day. It was an amazing experience. The band nailed their Herald Square performance - while 55 million watched on TV - and then after a quick group photo, headed for the buses feeling tired, happy and extremely proud. Later that evening, the band joined together for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner - for which each member had much to be thankful for. Back home, they finished out the 2008 season by marching in the St. Pete Santa Parade - a chance to perform their Herald Square routine one final time for the home town crowd, including many family members who couldn't make the trip. It was a wonderful year, filled with life long memories!