Area marching bands converge on Jackson for annual festival

A longtime musical tradition will mark its 58th year Tuesday, Oct. 1, during the annual Jackson Marching Band Festival.

"It's a great opportunity for all bands to strut their stuff," said Scott Vangilder, director of the Jackson marching band.

According to Vangilder, the festival began in 1945 when Jackson band director LeRoy Mason wanted to establish a noncompetitive marching event for Southeast Missouri area bands.

"It's a noncompetitive event. There are no trophies. No one goes home a winner, and no one goes home a loser. That's what makes it such a good thing," said Vangilder.

Today, the festival has grown to include around 20 schools from throughout Southeast Missouri.

"It's really neat because a whole bunch of bands come out and you get to see how they prepare and perform," said Nicole McMillan, a senior at Jackson High School who plays the clarinet.

"I'm really looking forward to this year's festival because we have over 200 people in our band and we've been working really hard," McMillan said. "It's a good way to show how hard we work."

As in previous years, the festival will begin with a parade at 4 p.m., followed by an evening mass-band performance at 6:30 p.m. in the Jackson High School Stadium.

Vangilder said the parade will follow the same route used in past years -- from Jackson High School down High Street, Main Street and Russell Street back to the high school.

The evening field-show performance, which previously included all participating bands, will now be offered on a two-year rotation due to the number of schools participating.

This year, bands from Cape Girardeau Central High School, Charleston High School, Jackson High School, Sikeston High School, Valle High School (Ste. Genevieve, Mo.), Delta High School, Kelly High School (Benton, Mo.), Oak Ridge High School and Scott County Central (Sikeston, Mo.) will perform.

Next year, bands from Advance High School, Perryville High School, Woodland High School (Marble Hill, Mo.), Jackson High School, Chaffee High School, East Prairie High School, Meadow Heights High School (Patton, Mo.), Oran High School, Scott City High School and St. Vincents High School (Perryville, Mo.) will take part in the evening field show.

"This new schedule will allow the community to see different bands from year to year," said Vangilder.

The cost of the show is $2 for adults and $1 for students. In case of inclement weather, the alternate date will be Tuesday, Oct. 8.