Carroll Chamber to Celebrate 60 Years of Band Day
The Carroll Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the 60th Anniversary Carroll Band Day Parade on Saturday, September 30. This year’s entries include 16 bands and over 60 parade participants. The parade begins at 10:30 AM and starts on the corner of 9th Street and Adams Street, proceeds east on 7th Street, turns north on Clark Street, and then east on 9th Street and through Graham Park where the judging takes place. The parade ends at the Carroll Athletic Stadium.“What’s unique about this event is that it’s a sanctioned Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) competition. The bands who are coming to perform are also competing, within their school classification,” explains Sarah Foley, Chamber of Commerce Program Director. This year, bands are competing in 1A, 2A and 3A classes at both the high school and middle school levels. Trophies will be awarded in each class for first through third place and bands are judged on general effect and showmanship, marching precision and music presentation. One band, selected by the judges to be outstanding among their peers, will be selected to receive the overall trophy.
Following the parade, bands have an opportunity to demonstrate a field presentation at the Carroll Stadium. Carroll High School and Kuemper Catholic High School will be two of the first bands demonstrating field presentations. Once the presentations are completed, awards will be presented.
This year’s parade co-marshals are Rob Cordes, Superintendent at Carroll Community Schools, and John Steffes, President of Kuemper Catholic Schools.
“With this being our anniversary year, we really wanted to recognize the longevity of this event and our event supporters. The Carroll Community Schools and Kuemper Catholic Schools have been our Band Day partners since the beginning. The committee felt it was only right to recognize that support by naming Mr. Cordes and Mr. Steffes as co-marshals,” adds Foley.
Foley adds the committee is also awarding a “throwback” trophy to one parade entry or float which celebrates or recognizes the 60th anniversary and celebrates the history of Band Day.
Band Day is made possible and supported by Chamber sponsors, United Bank of Iowa and Windstar Express. The Carroll Chamber of Commerce also coordinates the event by partnering with Carroll Community Schools and the Kuemper Catholic Schools. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.