A shot at the big time

U.S. Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, is accepting nominations for high school marching bands in the 23rd Congressional District to perform in the National Independence Day Parade.

The congressman will take up to five nominations, according to a release issued by his office this morning.

"A trip to our nation's capital is a great learning experience for our high schools, and I am pleased to see our students have the opportunity to honor our community with their performances on the 4th of July," Owens said in a prepared statement. "From the 10th Mountain Division Band to SUNY Potsdam's Crane School, our area is rich in musical talent and I am looking forward to seeing the area represented in Washington on Independence Day."

The parade is sponsored by the National Parks Service and takes place July 4, 2012 (obviously), in Washington, D.C. Owens' staff stressed that nominations do not guarantee a spot in the parade.

Marching bands selected to participate must pay their own way, Owens noted.

Nominating letters must be submitted by March 15. Here's the address: Congressman Bill Owens c/o Caitlin Donovan 120 Washington St. Suite 200 Watertown, N.Y. 13601 315-782-3150