Taking the field

~ About 500 were in the stands for the performances in Jackson.

The only rivalry on the Jackson High School football field Tuesday night was the friendly variety.

After an afternoon of parading and rehearsing, about 15 area marching bands from as far away as Ste. Genevieve, Mo., took the field one by one at the 62nd annual Jackson Marching Band Festival. About 500 spectators were in the stands for the performances in addition to the band members not playing.

The marching band festival began in 1945 when then-Jackson band director LeRoy Mason wanted to establish a noncompetitive marching event for local high school bands. Some of the bands in the festival also participate in competitive festivals.

Oak Ridge has participated in the festival for all of band director Judy Sharp's 26 years of teaching. "This is just a friendly night of watching other bands and sharing music," Sharp said. "There's no pressure. Just get out there and do the best you can do."

The night was a chance for smaller schools like Meadow Heights and Oak Ridge to watch larger marching bands perform.

"We get new ideas and get motivated for next year's festival," said Meadow Heights band director Debbie Myers.

The school has about 40 students in the band. With no football field at Meadow Heights, band members practice for the event on the school's front lawn. "This is the only thing our band marches in, so it's a lot of fun and the kids really enjoy it," Myers said.

Steven Messmer, left, Matt Kinsey, Ashley Schott and Branden Cook, all members of the Jackson High School Marching Band, listened and waited their turn to take the field Tuesday.

Meadow Heights senior Rebecca Brown, the band's drum major, said the event was a good learning experience. "It's really a good opportunity to show off what our little school can do out there," Brown said.

Schools participating in the band festival Tuesday were Central High School of Cape Girardeau, Chaffee, Charleston, Delta, Jackson, Oran, Meadow Heights, Oak Ridge, Perryville, Scott City, Scott County Central, St. Vincent of Perryville, Valle of Ste. Genevieve and Woodland.

Earlier in the afternoon, bands marched through uptown Jackson along High and Main streets.

Jennifer Burrough of Jackson brought her 4-year-old daughter, Makayla, to the parade. Makayla danced as each band marched down High Street. "She really likes it," said Burrough, who played the saxophone when she attended Jackson High School.

Down the street, Christi Crowden and her 5-year-old son, Lane, cheered for each band as they marched by. Delta High School's band may have received the loudest cheers because Crowden's husband is the superintendent.

"We're out here supporting all of the bands. It's really a fun event," Crowden said. "Although I had to tell my son there was no candy at this parade, only bands."

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246