By Monty Siekerman
Ada High School marching band members heft large chess pieces, which are part of this year's show titled "Rise of the Pawns."

The band and color guard performed for residents of Vancrest on Wednesday outside near the nursing home.

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The musicians and flag dancers perform on a giant black and white tarp that resembles a chessboard.

How does a musical group develop a theme each year? Eating at Granite City restaurant in Toledo led to this year's theme. There is a large chessboard and pieces outside the restaurant so patrons can play chess while they wait. Bingo. An idea. Why not use chess as this year's theme.

Director Johnathan Lischak and students brainstormed ideas, resulting in "Rise of the Pawns" for this year's theme.

Next challenge: find the largest chess pieces made. Amazon had the answer with someone offering 3-foot high pieces. Thus, the idea became reality and, so far, the audiences and judges in competitions seem to agree that it's a winning idea.

Sometimes, diners get more than great food at a restaurant.