Marching Festival Draws Big Crowd
Hermann band members act out the tale of Little Red Riding Hood during one number.
By MARK EVANS
STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD
Some 2,000 students from 27 high schools came to the Ste. Genevieve High School football stadium Saturday for the 15th Annual Ste. Genevieve Marching Festival.
Mild but windy conditions saw a large crowd attend.
“This was one of our largest festivals with 27 bands and over 1,000 student performers,” said John Mooney, SGHS band director. “It went well and is a major fundraiser for our band boosters.”
The competition featured high schools as small as Puxico (144 students) and as big as Marquette (1,793 students). Illinois schools Anna-Jonesboro and Murphysboro also performed, along with Perryville, Park Hills Central, and Hillsboro.
Several St. Louis area schools also took part, including Parkway Central, Parkway North and Parkway West, Hazelwood West, Marquette, Pattonville, St. Francis Borgia and Bayless.
It was divided into Classes 2-6 and is a highlight of each band’s arching season.
“The bands spent months preparing and perfecting their performance,” Mooney said, “working several hours a week. The marching arts is a popular activity all across the country and give all students an outlet.”