By now everyone in Hokie Nation has heard: VT Football is headed to Charlotte, North Carolina for the Belk Bowl! The Marching Virginians have been preparing for their trip down south since the end of the semester. The Bowl Game is always an exciting trip for the MVs for several reasons. The MVs will never pass up a chance to support their football team, but the Bowl Game also allows MVs to see their best band friends over break. Friends who may be states apart can spend a few days together on a fun trip making memories.
Some MVs have already made plans together for the trip. For example, the MV officers have a gift exchange planned! Drew Gouge, our Executive Officer, told me a bit about it.
“I thought it would be cute if the officers got together for a little holiday celebration and someone suggested doing a gift exchange, but sometimes even those can get expensive on a college student budget so I suggested we do a white elephant exchange to keep it cheap but still super fun!”
The Marching Virginians Color Guard also has a get together planned. Ashley Deans, a flag corps member (and the creator of this blog!) started a book club within her section this season to create opportunities for section bonding. Book recommendations were sent in to her once a month and the club members voted on which book to read. For the month of December, their club meeting is happening during the bowl game trip!
“We are all really excited that we get to continue our monthly meetings, and even more excited that we get to spend time together as a team outside of the normal school year,” Ashley said.
Source: Brad Lanza
Bowl Game memories last forever, so you’ll want to make the most out of the few hours of free time you have. If you happen to not have plans already lined up in Charlotte, don’t worry; there’s lots to do! Our hotel location is right in the middle of lots of activities. A short walk from the hotel is a large shopping center called Epicentre which houses several kinds of restaurants as well as a bowling alley and a large candy shop! The Epicentre also has a large movie theater. Charlotte also has several other activities not too far from the hotel including a historic ghost tour, a comedy tour, and even a NASCAR museum.
In the end, it doesn’t matter where you go or what you do with your free time as long as you spend it making memories with good friends! I hope all of you Marching Virginians are having a restful break, and I’m excited to see you all on the trip soon!