When the Westsiders march in the Preakness Parade, it's always a grand reunion. Former band members cluster along the route to cheer them on. And this year, they'll be turning out full force -- after all, Saturday is the parade's 25th anniversary.
And just as she's done every year for the past quarter century -- except for 1993 when the parade was canceled -- Corlis Pitts will be marching with the band. Back during the first Preakness Parade in 1972, she was proudly carrying the American flag. She was 15 then. This year, at 41, she'll be leading the drummers.
"I remember it like it was yesterday," says Corlis while reminiscing about her first Preakness Parade. "It was such an honor to be carrying the flag, and it made me feel special. I was very conscious of holding the flag high and straight . . . never wavering."
In addition to still actively participating in the band, Corlis is also the group's director.
The Westsiders were founded 36 years ago by Corlis' parents, Dorothy and Jeff Pitts, to provide a recreational outlet for children in the West Baltimore community.
Through the years, the 150-member award-winning band has made a name for itself along the East Coast, marching in #F parades from Florida to New York.
"But the Preakness Parade remains our favorite. . . . It's always like a homecoming," says Dorothy who, along with her husband, stays actively involved in the band's management.
"Years ago, the parade was not as large and the route was shorter," remembers Dorothy. "Before Harborplace was developed, the parade ended at Hopkins Plaza."
And for many years, the parade was conducted in the evening, much to the Pittses' delight.
"That was my favorite parade . . . everything sparkled in the reflection of the street lights," adds Corlis.
The evening's glitter and magic also appealed to Shelia Goodwin, a Baltimore Office of Promotion staff member who has worked with the parade about 17 years, the past eight as its coordinator.
"The illuminated floats and uniforms were a breathtaking sight for the thousands of spectators, but very taxing on the police department," Goodwin says, adding that the parade returned to daytime hours in 1990.
