Marching Bands "On The Banks of the Wabash" Saturday

It’s marching band season once again!

And in Bluffton, that means its time for the annual “On The Banks of the Wabash” spectacular at Fred Park Stadium.

A total of 21 bands will compete in four classes this year, with the event sponsored by the Bluffton Band Boosters. Competition will commence at 4 p.m., and is expected to continue until approximately 10:30 p.m.

The Indiana State School Music Association organizes marching band contests into four classes (A, B, C, and D) with A being for the largest schools. The Bluffton Bengal Brigade competes in Class D while the Norwell Marching Knights usually compete in Class C.

However, due to their participation in the Ossian Days parade, Norwell will march in Class B this weekend. The Marching Knights will take the field at 7:28 p.m.

As host school, Bluffton’s Bengal Brigade will provide an exhibition performance of their competition routine at 10:17 p.m., prior to the final awards ceremony.

The competition will conclude with the Bluffton High School Bengal Brigade marching in exhibition at 10:17, and the presentation of the Class A awards at approximately 10:30 p.m.

Admission is $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for senior citizens and students.

Concessions will be available at Fred Park Stadium as well as at the middle school. Spectators are encouraged to park at the middle school. Spectator parking will not be allowed in any high school parking lot due to the use of those lots for participating band buses and trailers.

The competing bands and their performance times are:

Class D:
4 p.m. — Eastside
4:13 p.m. — Garrett
4:26 p.m. — Adams Central
4:39 p.m. — Woodlan

Class C:
4:52 p.m. — Bellmont
5:05 p.m. — Lakeland
5:18 p.m.— Heritage
5:31 p.m. — Concordia
Class D and C awards will take place at the conclusion of Class C.

Class B:
6:36 p.m. — Elmhurst
6:49 p.m. — Columbia City
7:02 p.m. — New Haven
7:15 p.m. — Bishop Dwenger
7:28 p.m. — Norwell
7:41 p.m. — East Noble
7:54 p.m. — North Side
8:07 p.m. — DeKalb
Class B awards will be presented after DeKalb’s performance.

Class A:
9:12 p.m. — Huntington North
9:25 p.m. — Carroll
9:38 p.m. — Northrop
9:51 p.m. — Snider
10:04 p.m. — Homestead
Class A awards will be presented after the exhibition performance by Bluffton High Schools Bengal Brigade.
Exhibition:

10:17 p.m. — Bluffton