MARYSVILLE — More than 200 attendees showed up at Totem Middle School to dine and bid on behalf of the Marysville-Pilchuck High School Band Feb. 6.

The dads of the Marysville Band Booster Association cooked and served up prime-rib dinners, for ticket prices of up to $30 per head, while 75 silent auction and 10 live auction items were up for grabs, all to support the M-PHS Band’s planned trip to Disneyland, from March 30 through April 3.

Band Booster Co-Vice President Roxanne Standiford praised the number of donors who had contributed both money and auction items, with many of the latter coming from Tulalip Tribal members. Quil Ceda Village General Manager and state Rep. John McCoy was one of many diners that evening, while the Hatch family put up a number of items for bid between them, including a one-night stay at the Tulalip Resort Hotel and Casino, and a hand-painted drum. Tribal artist James Madison likewise furnished the auction with hand-carved artwork.

Other items up for bid included a 2002 Crown Victoria police interceptor and a six-night condo stay in Hawaii.

“Our music program is one thing that we just cannot lose,” said Marysville School District Board Director Chris Nation. “It’s the backbone of our school programs, and when it gets cut, it’s a 99 percent chance that it never gets brought back. I’m excited for these kids tonight. Whether or not they continue to pursue music as adults, it will always be part of their lives. It’s always tough for the music program to make enough money, but every little bit helps.”

Band Booster Co-Vice President Nicky Alonso explained that the cost of the trip averages out to $675 per student. Checks can be made payable to M-PHS Band Boosters, at P.O. Box 1684, Marysville, WA 98270. For more information, contact Standiford by phone at 360-653-4048, or via e-mail at rstandiford@yahoo.com.