Pocono News Section

Band Competition to Bring Business to Poconos

Band Competition to Bring Business to Poconos - Friday, November 2, 2007 at 8:52PM EST

Friday, Nov 2, 2007 @08:52pm EST

SWIFTWATER, MONROE COUNTY - Pocono Mountain marching bands have won several major competitions.

Three years ago, they took home the top prize at the Atlantic Coast Championships.

"When you're the best at what you do at any given time in your life - that's something special," band director, Jonathan Searfoss, said.

"Once you know that feeling of winning, there's a desire to have it again, every year," senior Josh Sherman said.

This is senior Josh Sherman's last chance to win that coveted title.

The marching band playoffs come to our area over the weekend.

Sunday, Pocono Mountain will host a qualifying tournament.

About 500 musicians from a dozen different Northeast Pennsylvania schools will be there.

"And lots and lots of parents, grandparents that come in for this because it's such a big deal; and we're lucky enough to get to host it so we get more people coming in to see us than we normally would," Searfoss said.

The big band championship is music to the ears of some area businesses that hope it will draw customers.

"People come in here, they have a good breakfast, they tell their friends. We'll see them come back next time they're in the Poconos two months later," said Spyros Ladeas of Hickory Valley Restaurant.

The owner of the Hickory Valley Restaurant says visitors won't be able to resist his signature ham and eggs served in the pan.

The nearby Pocono Cheesecake Factory also expects to see more business.

"It's bound to generate additional traffic because everybody likes cheesecake. So if they've never been here before some of them are going to stop and see what we have to offer," said Alfred Johnson.