Hoover High School marching band festival set for Oct. 15

The power, pageantry and musicianship of that uniquely American institution of the marching band will be celebrated once again at the Hoover Invitational Marching Festival, to be held at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 15.

This year's festival will feature 15 marching bands in competition, plus exhibitions by the Hoover High School Marching Band and UAB Marching Blazers. The first band goes on the field at 1:30 p.m., and the music continues until the awards ceremony at 8:30 p.m.

The festival is held each year on the third Saturday in October. Organizers believe the Hoover Met is a good place for the event, with plenty of parking, restrooms and concessions, as well as ample warmup areas and easy field access for bands and their equipment.

For details, call 439-1228 or 439-1328, email Hoover High School Director of Bands Ryan Fitchpatrick at rfitchpatrick@hoover.k12.al.us or go to hooverband.com.

Festival tickets can be purchased at the door: adults, $8; students, $5.

This article was updated on Oct. 10 with details about this year's festival.