Elk Grove Marching Grenadiers "flock" village

The Elk Grove High School Marching Grenadiers (Elk Grove Village, IL) will be performing in the Sugar Bowl halftime show on January 2, 2013, in New Orleans. Elk Grove Instrumental Music Association (EGIMA), the band's parent organization, has kicked into high-gear fundraising, attempting to raise $54,000 to help lower each student's travel expenses. Their hope is to have the entire 120-member band make the trip.

EGIMA's most unique effort -- "Flock-A-Friend" -- actually has band members enthused about fundraiser participation.

Anyone who wants to support the EGHS band can pay to have a friend's yard "flocked" with pink flamingos, along with a sign: "I was flocked by the Marching Grenadiers!" A door hanger is left on the recipient's door, explaining why their yard was filled with flamingos and who sent them. All this is done, after dark, by teams made up of Marching Grens plus an adult team member.

All yards remain "flocked" for 24 hours, when the next team arrives to assist the birds in their "migration" to the another yard. Two sizes of flocks are available: regular and super-sized.

Interested parties can also purchase "Anti-Flocking Insurance" which protects their yard for two weeks, but after that "no guarantees." Those who would like, can also "Adopt-A-Bird" and receive their pink feathered friend once the fundraiser is complete.

To reserve a "flocking" date, purchase insurance or for flamingo adoption information, go to www.eghsband.com. The Marching Grenadiers will only flock homes located within Elk Grove High School's boundaries. (A map of the boundaries can be found on the "Flock-A-Friend" page.)