FESTIVAL PLANNED

The 50th annual Jackson Marching Band Festival will be held Oct. 4.

The day's events will include a parade through downtown Jackson at 1:30 p.m. with the field shows starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Jackson High School stadium.

This marching festival started in the mid-1940s when Jackson band director Leroy Mason wanted to establish a non-competitive marching event for Southeast Missouri bands. Today, the festival has grown so large that there are now four locations. Perryville, Kennett, Poplar Bluff and Jackson will host festivals this year.

Among the schools participating in this year's Jackson festival are Puxico, Scott City, Cape Central, East Prairie, Oak Ridge, Woodland, Kelly, Bell City, Oran, Bloomfield, Chaffee, Greenville, Delta, Scott County Central, Charleston, Sikeston, Advance and Jackson.

The massed marching this year will be a tribute to the 50 years of successful marching festivals held in Jackson.

Cost for the field shows will be $2 for adults and $1 for students. In case of inclement weather, the alternate date will be Oct. 11.