The Blackstone Millville Regional Marching Band has found its stage. Thanks to remarkable community cooperation, the annual BMR Marching Band Home Show will now take place at North Smithfield High School on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
This uplifting update was shared with Small Town Post by Blackstone Board of Selectmen Chair and School Committee Chair Daniel Keefe.
How the Home Show Found Its New Home
The search for a venue took a turn yesterday when Keefe saw a parent’s post shared from the Blackstone Millville Music Announcements Facebook page. The post, made by Alyssa Mahan, President of the Blackstone Millville Music Association (BMMA), included a communication from BMR Music Director Todd Shafer explaining the challenges of finding a location for the home show.
Wanting to help, Keefe reached out directly to Gino Olaes, Blackstone Selectman and President of Xpress Football & Cheer, to see if there was a possible solution. It turned out Xpress Football already had a rental agreement for North Smithfield High School on September 20. Their booking — which includes use of the stadium lights, turf football field, concessions, restrooms, and on-site maintenance — runs from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., though the exact time of the home show will be announced by the music director.
Olaes then contacted PumpkinFest co-chairs Brian Gartland and Elizabeth Featherston to explore sharing the venue. The PumpkinFest takes place in a separate area of the school grounds and will conclude at 5:00 p.m., with attendance naturally winding down during the final hour.
Not only did the PumpkinFest team fully support the idea, but they also encouraged BMR to promote the opportunity for families to arrive early, enjoy the festival, and then stay for the music show.
This act of generosity reflects the mission of Xpress Football & Cheer. President Gino Olaez previously shared with Small Town Post “We focus on building a strong culture where every child has the opportunity to grow—not just as an athlete, but as a person.” With the overwhelming support of Olaes and the Board of Directors, Xpress made their reserved field and resources available for the home show, showing that their commitment extends beyond their own athletes — supporting students in all activities to succeed and shine.
A Note of Gratitude from the Music Director
Musical Director Todd Shafer shared his heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming community support that helped secure a home for the BMR Marching Band. He highlighted how much it means to the 82 students in the marching band and their families, calling the North Smithfield High School venue a “best-case scenario.” Shafer also encouraged families to enjoy the Great Pumpkin Festival earlier in the day and then stay for the home show, which will feature 11 bands from across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, celebrating both the music and the community spirit that made it possible.
Make It a Day: PumpkinFest and the Home Show
Mark your calendars for a full day of community fun on Saturday, September 20:
- School Grounds by the Middle School & High School, North Smithfield, RI
- 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- $2 entrance fee (Rain or Shine)
- Festival FAQ
Enjoy the food, vendors, activities, and autumn spirit of PumpkinFest — then head over to the stadium for an evening of music, pageantry, and community pride at the BMR Marching Band Home Show. (Exact time to be announced.)
Why This Matters
Last night, Small Town Post shared that the band was searching for a new venue to host its home show. The Blackstone and Millville communities have a deep tradition of supporting their student musicians, and this quick solution shows what can happen when local organizations work together for the greater good.
From Alyssa Mahan’s post on social media, to phone calls and emails between local leaders, to the generous cooperation of event organizers — the community rallied to make sure our young musicians could showcase their talents. It’s a story of teamwork, community pride, and making sure the music doesn’t miss a beat.
At Small Town Post, our mission is to tell the stories that matter in our community — from good news and local events to the people and organizations making a difference. The BMR Marching Band Home Show at North Smithfield High School is more than just a schedule update — it’s a perfect example of neighbors helping neighbors.
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Updated at 4:15 PM to include statement from Musical Director Todd Shafer
