Organizers plan special events for 50th anniversary
By Lori Ehde
The 50th Annual Tri-State Band Festival is slated for Saturday. More than 3,000 student musicians and likely 10,000 spectators will converge on Luverne Saturday for parade and field events.
New Cardinal Fieldbleachers and pressbox on schedule forcompletion in time forBand Fest spectators
In addition to the special 50th anniversary events planned for the day, organizers are particularly excited about christening the new bleachers and press box just constructed on Cardinal Field.
"The press box is larger, so it will allow more room for judges and videographers," said Chamber Director Dave Smith. "We won't need the Culligan truck this year because the command center will be up there, too. It will be a great improvement."
The judges and organizers aren't the only ones who will have more elbow room this year. The new bleachers on the north side of Cardinal Field will accommodate more spectators than the old ones, and seating will still be available on the south side of the field.
It's a good thing, too, because the festival had attracted some larger bands this year. "When you start multiplying all those students times parents, the numbers get up there in hurry," Smith said.
He said it's hard to predict crowds in advance, because the festival's popularity depends largely on the weather.
"I spoke with Tom Haugen (head judge) yesterday, and he told me we'll have 72-degree temperatures with 5-mile-per-hour winds," Smith said. "The forecast, though, calls for a high of 62 and a chance of showers."
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the field competition at 12:45 p.m.
Entrance to all field events will require a $3 band festival button designed this year by Luverne native Kevin Van Westen. Buttons are available on Main Street prior to the parade or at the gate.
The official band festival book, including scoring sheets, schedules, judge profiles, band previews and festival highlights, is included with this issue of the Star Herald.
The book also features information on special events planned for the 50th anniversary occasion. For example, 18 of the past parade marshals will return this year for special honors.
Also, the First Marine Division Marching Band from Camp Pendleton, Calif., will perform at both the parade and field events, in addition to a return appearance by the Southwest State University marching band from Marshall.
For more information, call the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce at 283-4061.