WABC-TV’s 75th Anniversary: ​​The Annual Newsday Marching Band Festival

NEW YORK (WABC) – At WABC-TV, we’ve always cared deeply about the communities we serve. Back in 2001, we supported the 39th Annual Newsday Marching Band Festival with a special event hosted by Lara Spencer.

Ahead of our 75th anniversary on August 10, we’re looking back at special moments from our archives, and here’s a selection from that special that aired in 2001.

Spencer started the event on the football field at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island.

The annual event began in 1963 and featured performances by 13 marching bands. Since then, the festival has become a multi-day celebration of music, youth and the United States.