By Brenna Eller
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Wednesday, Sept. 11 was not only Shop Til You Drop Day at the State Fair at select Vendor booths, but it was also the largest marching band day, with 53 bands playing overall, whether competing or just marching the fairgrounds.
Area schools present Wednesday were Cheney High School, Lyons ROTC and Lyons HS, Circle (Middle and High School), Sedgwick HS, Sterling HS, Moundridge HS, Cunningham HS, Smoky Valley HS, Pretty Prairie HS, Marion HS, Macksville HS, Larned HS, Hutchinson HS, Ellsworth HS, Andale HS, Great Bend HS, Osawego HS, and Remington.
Kansas State Fair Ambassador Richard Shank announced bands as they marched up to the arena. Trego County’s band was the only band that he didn’t see compete at the arena Wednesday.
There have been competitions the past three days and 36 bands participated in the judging competition on Wednesday alone.
Since today is the anniversary of 9/11, a couple of bands played the “Star Spangled Banner” as one of their two song selections.
Great Bend’s Marching Band, under the Direction of Grant Matthews, chose to dedicate “The Star Wars Theme” and “The Cantina Band” to two Star Wars actors, Ray Stevenson and James Earl Jones, who both recently passed.
The Marching Band Judges today were:
- Lynette Legleiter, Retired Band Director from Hutchinson Public Schools
- Professor Kyle Hopkins, McPherson College Director of Bands
- Dr. Shawn Knopp, Friends University Director of Bands
