Crown Jewel Marching Band Festival

The idea for the Crown Jewel Festival was originated in the Fall of 1981 during conversations between James Sammons and Gordon Popple, Assistant Principal and soon to be Coordinator of Community and Adult Education for the Indian River Co. School District. They felt that our band students should be exposed to as many quality bands during the year as possible to serve as role models for the further development of what was at that time a very underdeveloped VBHS Band. The band had just returned from observing a festival in Winterhaven and had witnessed some great groups so the idea was that if they could develop a festival in that area that we could do the same in Vero Beach. This would also bring more bands into the local community and improve interest and support for the VBHS Band.

Mr. Popple, knowing that he would become the Coordinator of Community Education suggested that his department might be able to sponsor and initially fund such an event in conjunction with VBHS. During the late fall and early winter several discussions were held and a decision was made by Mr. Sammons, John Witt, Principal of VBHS, and Jim Burns, Superintendent of Schools to launch the event for the Fall of 1982.

The Community Education Department and VBHS assumed the financial and liability responsibilities, as the festival is an interscholastic competitive event. The band director at VBHS, Mr. Sammons, was designated by the Principal as Sponsor and Festival Director of the event and the Coordinator of Community Education, Mr. Popple, was designated by Mr. Sammons to serve as his designee in the position of Executive Director of the festival.

The first Crown Jewel was held on the first Saturday of December 1982 with a parade competition (along with the Christmas Parade) on Friday night. Over time the number of bands participating diminished as the popularity of late season marching festivals fell out of favor with the majority of bands. The festival was moved to October and continues to be held on the third Saturday in October. The festival has continued to be a strong well attended event drawing top bands of all styles and sizes from around the state.

Crown Jewel celebrated its 25th Anniversary in October 2006 with a tribute during the exhibition performance of the VBHS Band to Gordon Popple in honor of and in appreciation for his contributions to the founding of Crown Jewel along with his dedicated service to the Vero Beach community. Unfortunately, Mr. Popple passed away in the spring of 2007.