SIDNEY — Seven bands will take the field at Sidney Memorial Stadium Saturday, Sept. 12, for the 29th annual Sensational Sounds Band Festival.
“Our featured band will be from Otterbein University,” said Lisa Brady, chairman of the event. “We are excited to have a college band come that day to perform.”
The high school bands scheduled to perform, said Brady, are Covington, Riverside, Miami East, Triad, St. Henry and Sidney.
“A former Sidney student, Ivy Barker, is a member of the Otterbein band,” said Brady. “She has siblings in the Sidney band.”
Invitations for the festival, said Brady, are sent out in the spring by band Director Chris Adams. The festival is open to all area bands.
“It all depends on who can come that day on how many bands there will be,” said Brady.
The festival is free for all bands to perform in, she said. Each band receives a small stipend for their participation.
“A spirit award is given to the best band and fan participation,” said Brady. “They receive a $100 award.”
Admission to the festival is $5 per person. Children below school age are free.
“The gates will be open around 5:30 for the arrival of the bands,” said Brady. “People can come as early as 5:45 to 6 p.m. The band performances will begin at 7 p.m.”
A concession stand, operated by the band boosters and volunteers, will open at 6 p.m., she said. The boosters and volunteers will also be handling ticket sales and parking.
“We have lots of people helping us,” she said.
The festival, she said, gives fans of music a chance to hear the talents of high school and college students from the surrounding area.
“On Friday night, the focus is on football,” said Brady. “The bands are the focus at the festival.”
Brady said the installation of turf on the football field prior to the 2014 season has enhanced the playing environment for the students.
“Two years ago, it was so muddy on the field,” she said. “One band member lost their shoe in the mud and had to march in their sock.
“The football stadium is a high quality place to march,” she said.
