Cavalcade of Bands scheduled to return today

SOUTH COVENTRY >> Cavalcade of Bands is returning for its 46th year on Saturday and the event will feature some of the area’s best marching bands.

Fifteen marching bands will be coming together at Wildcat Stadium in South Coventry Saturday Oct. 1 to perform for guests. Thirteen high school marching bands will be present at the Owen J. Roberts football field in addition to two middle school bands.

Bands participating in the competition include Pocono Mountain West, Owen J. Roberts, Daniel Boone, Great Valley, Methacton, East Stroudsburg North, Pittston, Spring-Ford Middle School, Council Rock North, Unionville, Neshaminy, Nazareth and Upper Darby.

Bands are judged on several criteria including field visual, ensemble visual, field music, ensemble music, overall effect visual, auxiliary and percussion.

In addition, the event will include a special performance by 3 Shades of Blue, a band with ties to the area who were semifinalists on the 10th season of “America’s Got Talent.” They have opened for bands including Panic! At the Disco, Skillet, Switchfoot, Tenth Avenue North and Family Force Five, according to the group’s website.

Saturday’s event is open to the public and tickets will be available at the gate. Adult tickets are $10 and senior and student tickets cost $8. Food and drinks will also be available at concession stands

Gates open at 4 p.m. with the first band performing at 5 p.m. At 9:45 p.m., awards will be given out to the bands.

For more information visit www.cavalcadeofbands.com or www.ojrsd.com.

FILE PHOTO The Boyertown Area High School Band performs during the Cavalcade of Bands hosted by the Owen J. Roberts School District.