On October 18, both Hamburg’s choir and marching band performed at the PPL center in Allentown for the Phantoms game. Though the Phantoms did lose, it was a rather joyous and exciting event for the Hamburg students and families. Along with the marching band and choir, there were also performances of a group of Polka musicians due to the hockey game being themed around Oktoberfest. Much like every hockey game, there was cheering and chanting, along with the Zambonis (machines that go on the ice between plays), and the regular fights during hockey. Plus, visitors to the stadium can purchase many different options of food while watching the game.
Marching band performed between 5:45 and 6:25 right before the game as people were coming to their seats. The marching band played recognizable songs like September and Shut Up and Dance.
Madeline Handwerk, a junior at HAHS, is a bell player for the marching band. She said “I thought the fights between the hockey members were funny, and I enjoyed playing Shut Up and Dance.” Maddie got the crab fries, and she wished they were warmer, but still thought they tasted amazing.
Landon Poulios, a sophomore at HAHS, sang the National Anthem on the ice with the choir. He says, “The singing was splendid, and it was so exciting to see the Peep Zamboni up close.” The Peep Zamboni was his favorite part of the whole event, though he enjoyed the Polka music. The ‘Let’s go Phantoms’ chant was not an event Landon enjoyed, but he did like eating his Chickie’s and Pete’s chicken tenders and fries. He just wished there was some spice on his Chickie’s and Petes.
The German exchange students also spent their last full day in America at the Phantoms game, and they even got to bring home some souvenirs that are irreplaceable. Jannis, a German exchange student that stayed with Kameron Driebelbis, managed to get on the Jumbotron three times during the game, since he was polite when he asked the cameraman, and he made sure that the group around him was cheering often. He said, “This experience was equally as American as going to New York” for him. He also went home with a jersey of the Phantoms.
Mrs. McCarthy-Wright, the librarian at HAHS who hosted the German Exchange teachers, said that all of the Germans enjoyed the Phantoms game greatly, and said “There was a lot going on to captivate the attendees.” The atmosphere was loud for her, yet still exciting. She also enjoyed seeing Melvin, the Phantoms’ mascot, and listening to all the music being performed. Mrs. McCarthy-Wright also ate some mozzarella sticks while she was there, and she enjoyed them, but she “wished they were more gooey and warm.”
