2009 Bethany Beach Delaware Jazz Funeral to be Held on Bethany's Boardwalk on Labor Day September 7
At the Bethany Beach Del. Jazz Funeral, spectators go to the Boardwalk to join a funeral procession of mourners. These mourners bury the "Summer of 2009" with music played by three Dixieland Jazz Bands. This is like the Jazz Funerals in New Orleans.
Bethany Beach, DE, July 15, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Families visiting the Md.-Del. seashore resorts can celebrate the end of the Bethany Beach, Del. summer resort season at the annual Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral on Labor Day Monday, September 7 at about 5:30 p.m.
The Jazz Funeral is a lighthearted celebration. Those who attend can participate and become part of the procession. The 2009 Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is a "Labor Day Farewell to Summer" Parade and Celebration that are free to the public, according to Eugene Fritzler and Steve Klidonas, the assistant chairmen of this year's Jazz Funeral events.
At the Jazz Funeral, spectators go to the Bethany Beach Boardwalk on Labor Day Monday and can join the funeral procession of mourners. Mourners carry a casket with a mannequin representing "Summer of 2009" from the North end of the Boardwalk to its final resting place at the Boardwalk Bandstand. Music is provided by the combined efforts of three Dixieland Jazz Bands.
"The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is comparable to the Jazz Funerals that are held in New Orleans that celebrate the lives of those who have passed away," cochairman Fritzler said. "In Bethany Beach, the Jazz Funeral is celebrated each Labor Day to mark the passing of the summer resort season in Delaware's Quiet Resorts."
For the past four years, the Jazz Funeral was dedicated to those impacted by the lingering aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, especially the residents of New Orleans.
"Since New Orleans experienced so much devastation from Hurricane Katrina and since the recovery process in New Orleans still continues to this day, our lighthearted Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral celebration is meant to show respect and admiration for the Jazz Funeral tradition that was born in the Big Easy," cochairman Klidonas said.
The beneficiary of this year's Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is Sussex County Del. Habitat for Humanity. Last year the American Cancer Society and their Relay For Life® program were honored. In 2007 the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization was the beneficiary.
Those who attended the 2006 Jazz Funeral events had the opportunity to contribute funds for local housing initiatives supported by the Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. The 2005 Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral was dedicated to the excellent work performed by members of the American Red Cross.
The Jazz Funeral is based on the Jazz Funeral tradition of New Orleans, where "Funerals with music predated the start of Jazz, and they continued with the contemporary New Orleans Street-Funk style of brass bands," according to long time Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral participant Kirk Rankin.
The local populous usually shows up for the event and newcomers are always welcome to enjoy the festivities.
"Locals and diehard tourists always turn out in big numbers for our lighthearted end-of-the-season celebration," Jazz Funeral assistant chairmen Fritzler said. "We don't take ourselves too seriously and just want to enjoy the moment with all those who choose to celebrate the end of Summer with us."
Celebrating its 24th anniversary this year on September 7, the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral was originally conceived by a Bethany Beach businessman and former Bethany town councilman who wanted to "lighten up" after a busy resort season.
"If it were not for Moss Wagner's idea of having a big party on the afternoon of Labor Day to celebrate the end of the traditional summer season in Bethany Beach, there would be no Jazz Funeral," Jazz Funeral assistant chairmen Klidonas said.
A distinguishing features of this "End of Summer Season Celebration" is the music. The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral will feature three bands -- the Dixie Cats, the Jazz Funeral Irregulars and the Downtown Dixieland Band. The combined bands usually have about 20 pieces that makes this event one of the largest regularly-scheduled Dixieland band performances on the Delmarva Peninsula.
The Jazz Funeral has become a "quirky" tradition in Bethany Beach and celebrates its 24th anniversary this year. At 24 years, the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is one of the longest running "fun" celebrations of its kind in the Lower Delaware resort area.
This year's Jazz Funeral will be held on Labor Day Monday, September 7 with activities beginning around 5:30 p.m. at the North end of the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. A silent auction to be held on the Friday afternoon before Labor Day is also in the works. The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral Silent Auction is held as a kickoff to the Labor Day weekend to benefit Habitat for Humanity.
To help out with the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral or the Silent Auction email jazzfuneral@mchsi.com, call 302-537-1585 or write PO Box 505, Bethany Beach, Del. 19930.
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The Jazz Funeral is a lighthearted celebration. Those who attend can participate and become part of the procession. The 2009 Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is a "Labor Day Farewell to Summer" Parade and Celebration that are free to the public, according to Eugene Fritzler and Steve Klidonas, the assistant chairmen of this year's Jazz Funeral events.
At the Jazz Funeral, spectators go to the Bethany Beach Boardwalk on Labor Day Monday and can join the funeral procession of mourners. Mourners carry a casket with a mannequin representing "Summer of 2009" from the North end of the Boardwalk to its final resting place at the Boardwalk Bandstand. Music is provided by the combined efforts of three Dixieland Jazz Bands.
"The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is comparable to the Jazz Funerals that are held in New Orleans that celebrate the lives of those who have passed away," cochairman Fritzler said. "In Bethany Beach, the Jazz Funeral is celebrated each Labor Day to mark the passing of the summer resort season in Delaware's Quiet Resorts."
For the past four years, the Jazz Funeral was dedicated to those impacted by the lingering aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, especially the residents of New Orleans.
"Since New Orleans experienced so much devastation from Hurricane Katrina and since the recovery process in New Orleans still continues to this day, our lighthearted Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral celebration is meant to show respect and admiration for the Jazz Funeral tradition that was born in the Big Easy," cochairman Klidonas said.
The beneficiary of this year's Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is Sussex County Del. Habitat for Humanity. Last year the American Cancer Society and their Relay For Life® program were honored. In 2007 the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization was the beneficiary.
Those who attended the 2006 Jazz Funeral events had the opportunity to contribute funds for local housing initiatives supported by the Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. The 2005 Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral was dedicated to the excellent work performed by members of the American Red Cross.
The Jazz Funeral is based on the Jazz Funeral tradition of New Orleans, where "Funerals with music predated the start of Jazz, and they continued with the contemporary New Orleans Street-Funk style of brass bands," according to long time Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral participant Kirk Rankin.
The local populous usually shows up for the event and newcomers are always welcome to enjoy the festivities.
"Locals and diehard tourists always turn out in big numbers for our lighthearted end-of-the-season celebration," Jazz Funeral assistant chairmen Fritzler said. "We don't take ourselves too seriously and just want to enjoy the moment with all those who choose to celebrate the end of Summer with us."
Celebrating its 24th anniversary this year on September 7, the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral was originally conceived by a Bethany Beach businessman and former Bethany town councilman who wanted to "lighten up" after a busy resort season.
"If it were not for Moss Wagner's idea of having a big party on the afternoon of Labor Day to celebrate the end of the traditional summer season in Bethany Beach, there would be no Jazz Funeral," Jazz Funeral assistant chairmen Klidonas said.
A distinguishing features of this "End of Summer Season Celebration" is the music. The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral will feature three bands -- the Dixie Cats, the Jazz Funeral Irregulars and the Downtown Dixieland Band. The combined bands usually have about 20 pieces that makes this event one of the largest regularly-scheduled Dixieland band performances on the Delmarva Peninsula.
The Jazz Funeral has become a "quirky" tradition in Bethany Beach and celebrates its 24th anniversary this year. At 24 years, the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is one of the longest running "fun" celebrations of its kind in the Lower Delaware resort area.
This year's Jazz Funeral will be held on Labor Day Monday, September 7 with activities beginning around 5:30 p.m. at the North end of the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. A silent auction to be held on the Friday afternoon before Labor Day is also in the works. The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral Silent Auction is held as a kickoff to the Labor Day weekend to benefit Habitat for Humanity.
To help out with the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral or the Silent Auction email jazzfuneral@mchsi.com, call 302-537-1585 or write PO Box 505, Bethany Beach, Del. 19930.
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Contact
Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral
Paul Jankovic
302-537-1585
jazz-funeral.com
Paul Jankovic
302-537-1585
jazz-funeral.com
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