By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

A local band that brought rock ‘n’ roll to Hays during the late ’50s will be honored this weekend as a part of the Thomas More Prep-Marian homecoming celebration.

The members of Flippers were students at St. Joseph Military Academy, which is now TMP. The story of the band and this early rock history is told in a new book by fellow St. Joseph student Darrell Mudd. Click here for a full story on the band.

Members of the Flippers will be in a lead float of the TMP homecoming parade at 5:30 p.m. Friday. After the parade, Mudd and Flippers members will be at Gella’s Dinner and Lb. Brewing to sign books. The cost of the books are $15 each and all proceeds go to TMP. The Flippers will likely be at the brewery and restaurant for about two hours for the book signing.

Lb. Brewing will also serve a signature ale named after the Flippers.

Derrick Broeckelman, Gella’s and Lb. Brewing’s general manager, described the ale as easy drinkable beer that is reminiscent of the full-bodied beers that used to be brewed by the major American brands in the ’50s.

As a cornerstone downtown business, Broeckelman said the brewery wanted to do something to enrich the culture and history of Hays and Ellis County.

Gella’s is also offering commemorative 22-ounce bomber bottles, which Broeckelman said have already been in high demand from Flippers relatives and fans. The Flippers ale will be on tap until it runs out.

Mudd and Flippers members will also be available for a book signing after a dutch lunch at noon Saturday at TMP. Mudd and the band will be in the TMP dining hall.

The books can also be ordered on Amazon by clicking here.