EIU Media Relations

40th Annual Panther Marching Band Festival Set for Oct. 1 on EIU Campus

The public is invited to the 40th annual Panther Marching Band Festival, set to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium.

This annual all-day event is a field competition allowing high school bands a great way in which to close their performance season.  Awards in each class in the areas of music, visual, general effect, percussion, guard and drum major will be awarded.  Grand Champion and Spirit trophies will be awarded for Small Class and Large Class divisions.

Nearly 30 bands are scheduled to compete, with EIU’s Panther Marching Band performing in exhibition at 3:30 and 7 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students/seniors, while children 5 and under will be admitted free.  Tickets will be available on the day of the event.  (Cash or check accepted.)

Participating schools are scheduled to perform as follows:  Robinson, 10 a.m.; Arcola, 10:15; St. Joseph-Ogden, 10:30; Bement, 10:45; Blue Ridge, 11; Sullivan, 11:15; Oblong, 11:30; Rantoul, 11:45; El Paso, noon; LeRoy, 12:15 p.m.;

Freeburg, 1; Wesclin, 1:15; Paris, 1:30; Carterville, 1:45; Mt. Carmel, 2; Casey-Westfield, 2:15; Hoopeston, 2:30; Richland, 2:45; Unity, 3; Newton, 3:15; Centralia, 4:30; Effingham, 4:45; Charleston, 5; Belleville West, 5:30; Carbondale, 5:45; Granite City, 6; Marion, 6:15; Normal, 6:30; and Mahomet-Seymour, 6:45.

Awards for Small Division schools will be presented at approximately 3:45 p.m.  Large Division honors will be awarded at 7:15 p.m.

More information on the 40^th annual Panther Marching Band Festival can be found here.