Firefighters hose down Clear Brook band students in heat-busting tradition

FRIENDSWOOD, TX -- Before the Friday Night Lights, there's plenty of practice under the hot summer sun, as students give up part of their summer break for hard work in advance of the school year. But practice isn't just for the football team. The marching band has to polish their performance as well.

Summer rehearsals in Houston in August are never described as cool and comfortable, but with the recent heat wave, the last two weeks have been especially difficult. So when the time comes to cool off, at least one local band has a time-honored tradition. They turn to the Forest Bend Fire Department of Heritage Park.

Each year, the Clear Brook High School marching band celebrates their hard work at summer practices with a group shower of sorts, as the students are hosed down by the firefighters.

"This has been a tradition at Clear Brook that goes back a long ways ... We wanted to make sure to continue the tradition," explained Head Band Director Brad Hughes. "It's always a surprise for the freshmen."

"To me, water day means that the band directors care about us enough to get the fire department to come out to cool us off and spray us," said freshman Alana Larson.

"With all the hard work we've put into this, they are rewarding us," added freshman Abbey Sallee.

"It's just a fantastic day for the kids to help celebrate getting through these last two weeks," Hughes added.