GREAT WEATHER, GREAT BANDS MAKE DAY SPARKLE; SCHWENT PLEASED WITH 55TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL

One of Missouri's oldest and most popular marching band festivals was called an unequivocal success Tuesday. The 55th annual Jackson marching Band Festival saw more than 1,200 marching band members from some two dozen high schools march and perform field shows in perfect fall weather.

"All the bands who come dearly love coming to this festival," said Pat Schwent, Jackson High School band director. "They all want to do their best when they come here. I think the reason is the town of Jackson is so receptive to them. They can come to Jackson and feel welcome by the townspeople, as well as our band and our school, whether they are the smallest band or a largest band.

"I think that's what makes our band festival a success. It has a long tradition -- plus the pride the community as a whole takes. This year the weather was absolutely beautiful. The good Lord was on our side also."

Part of what makes that atmosphere possible is the lack of competition. The festival, started by Jackson Band Director Leroy Mason in the 1940s, features bands of all sizes strutting their stuff, without judges' decisions marring an otherwise perfect day.

"So many things in this day and age are cut-throat competition," Schwent said. "This is strictly a good will festival, without any hint of trophies involved. It doesn't matter to anyone here that night who wins first or second place. Everybody enjoys the festival at Jackson for those reasons."

The 1999 festival honored Ron Nall, former Cape Central band director. It featured bands with as few as 21 members (Clearwater) to the Marching Chiefs' mega 162-member unit. Jackson elementary and middle school students were dismissed, allowing the students to add to the large downtown crowd along the parade route.

The parade began with the Jackson freshman band, performing "Neutron Dance." The Jackson marching Chiefs closed the parade with "Everything's Coming Up Roses."

Schwent was pleased with the performance of the host Jackson bands.

"I think our performance was really good," she said. "The kids are excited about performing for all the students that come. I think they feel the sense of responsibility to be a good host to all the other schools."