Former Lord Mayor of Westminster to attend All-Island Band Night

It's the sort of evening that would have made Sgt. Pepper proud.

In conjunction with tonight's final home stand for the Mercer Island High School football team against Lake Washington, students from the 5th-12th grade will perform for All-Island Band Night, a quirky Island tradition that features band students from the Island's elementary, middle and high putting their best foot forward.

And in honor of Mercer Island's trip to London, England, at the end of the year—a special guest will be taking part. Former The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Westminster Catherine Longworth and her husband, John, will formally welcome the Mercer Island High School Marching Band to the 2011 New Year's Day Parade in London.

"We're very excited," said Mercer Island School District Superintendent Gary Plano at a school board meeting last night, promising the feted couple would be present for the Pizza Pig-Out in Mercer Island High School and make a special presentation at the football game during half time.

"The Lord Mayor & husband will be dressed to the nines," Plano said.

The London New Year's Day Parade is described by organizers as the largest of its kind, features 10,000 participants representing marching bands, cheerleaders, clowns and acrobats from 20 countries around the world. The Parade will celebrate its 25th Silver Anniversary in 2011 and will be viewed by a live television audience estimated at 220 million people worldwide. More than half a million spectators are expected to pack the two mile-long route on London's streets to see it in person.

Longworth, representing parade organizers, was a City of Westminster City Councilor until 2006 and served as Lord Mayor in 2004-2005. and currently serves on the board of a charity and a British girl's school. She is still often referred to as "Lord Mayor", an honorific (but not royal) post recognized by Letters Patent granted by Her Majesty the Queen.

Here's the schedule for the festivities at Mercer Island High School tonight:

5:00-7 p.m. :             Pizza Pig-Out at the MIHS Commons (Cost $5 advance, $7 door; pizza, salad, drink and dessert)
6:30 p.m. :                Football Senior Night (Stadium)
7:00 p.m. :                MI Football game v. Lake Washington
Half-time :            All Island Band Night performance, including the traditional "Hot Cross Buns"