For the first time following the tragic upstate bus crash that claimed two lives and injured dozens, the Farmingdale Senior High School Marching Band - along with the Dalerettes cheerleading team and color guard - are slated to perform this Friday, October 6.
The performance will take place during halftime for the school's Dalers football team homecoming game against Baldwin, according to Farmingdale School District Superintendent Paul Defendini.
"Homecoming is this Friday, and of course, our amazingly resilient Daler Marching Band, Dalerettes, and Color Guard are prepared to steal the spotlight with their pregame and halftime show," Defendini said. "Come on down and take in the excitement of Friday Night Lights at Farmingdale High School."
The homecoming game is slated to begin at 6:15 p.m. A memorial service was held for the victims of the crash on Tuesday, October 3, at 7 p.m.
The horrific accident took place in Orange County on September 21 after a charter bus from the high school carrying members of the marching band tumbled from Interstate 84 and down a 50-foot ravine, resulting in two deaths and dozens of injuries.
The incident took place just after 1 p.m. near Exit 15 in the town of Wawayanda; the bus that crashed - a front tire failure is believed to be the cause - was one of six bound for a band camp located in Greeley, Pennsylvania.
Two adults were killed: Farmingdale High School band director Gina Pellettiere, age 43, of Massapequa, and Beatrice Ferrari, a 77-year-old Farmingdale resident who taught social studies at the school for over 26 years.
Funerals for Pellettiere and Ferrari were both laid to rest last week.