Tri-State Band Fest is Saturday

The Luverne Cardinal Marching Band enjoyed a successful outing Saturday in Waseca with a first-place win on the parade route and a second-place finish on the field.
Luverne student competitors also received Waseca’s “Spirit Award” for their attitude and enthusiasm at the event.
They’ll bring this spirit to the Tri-State Band Festival in Luverne this weekend when more than 26 marching bands from across the tri-state area come to town for the annual event.
Now in its 67th year, Luverne’s Tri-State Band Festival is the longest-running marching band festival in the region.
The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in downtown Luverne, with the Luverne Music Boosters as honored parade marshals this year.
The morning parade travels along Main Street, with judging near the corner of Main and McKenzie.
Field competition begins at 12:30 p.m. on the Cardinal Football Field along Highway 75.
Admission to the field is a Band Festival button that can be purchased for $5 during the parade or at the gate.
The guest band this year is South Dakota State University Pride of the Dakotas under the direction of Luverne native Kevin Kessler.
The annual parade and field competition draws bands from Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota, with more than 2,500 students participating.
The 2017 lineup includes 26 participating bands, with 19 bands performing in the parade and 15 performing on the field.
Minnesota bands include Pipestone Area, Adrian, Tracy, Worthington, Murray County Central, and Stewartville.
Competing from Iowa are Boyden-Hull, George-Little Rock, Sheldon, Sibley-Ocheyedan, South O’Brien and West Lyon.
South Dakota bands include Brandon Valley, Garretson, Huron, Lennox, Sioux Falls Lincoln, Madison, Sioux Falls O’Gorman, Sioux Falls Christian, Tea, West Central and Yankton.
The Luverne Area Chamber can be reached at 507-283-4061 with questions, or e-mail at luvernechamber@co.rock.mn.us.