21 high schools to take part in marching band festival

MAHOMET – More than 1,800 students from 21 Illinois high schools will take the field in the 20th annual Mahomet-Seymour Marching Bulldog Festival on Saturday in Mahomet.

Hosted by the award-winning Mahomet-Seymour Marching Bulldogs Band, the festival will take place on the football field.

Each band will be judged on musicality, marching, general effect, percussion performance, color guard performance and drum major performance.

The judges are Joseph Manfredo, music; Richard Watkins, marching; Matthew Kutylo, general effect; Mark Eichenberger, percussion; Jennifer Manfredo, color guard; and Kimberly Breen, drum major.

First-, second- and third-place trophies are awarded in each category in three classes, based on school enrollment.

Trophies are also awarded for best percussion and best auxiliary. One grand champion also will be named.

The first marching band begins its performance at 11:25 a.m., and the performances will continue throughout the afternoon. The awards ceremony will begin at 5:50 p.m.

The participating bands will be from Blue Ridge, Sullivan, Le Roy, Ridgeview, El Paso, Unity, Hoopeston Area, Dwight, Robinson, Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Farmington, Monticello, Herscher, Metamora, Prairie Central, Effingham, Yorkville, Danville, A.A. Stagg and Dunlap high schools.

The Mahomet-Seymour band does not compete in its own festival but will appear in exhibition.

The Mahomet-Seymour Music Boosters sponsor the Marching Bulldog Festival.

The public is welcome to attend; admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children kindergarten through 12th grade and senior citizens, with a $20 maximum for a family.

Food and refreshments will be available for purchase.

For more information on the festival, call 586-6683, or e-mail mstevens@ms.k12.il.us.

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