UNK Band Day Parade showcases nearly 30 schools this Saturday

KEARNEY, Neb. - - A long-standing Kearney tradition returns this weekend.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney will host its 65th annual Band Day Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday. A staple of the fall marching season, 28 middle and high school bands will join the UNK Pride of the Plains for the event in downtown Kearney.

The parade route begins at 21st Street and Third Avenue, follows Third Avenue south to Railroad Street, heads east to Central Avenue, then turns north before ending at the intersection of Central Avenue and 24th Street.

UNK Band Day is a celebration of music that showcases programs from across Nebraska and serves as preparation for the Oct. 5 Harvest of Harmony Parade and Field Competition in Grand Island. The top three bands in each class will receive trophies for parade marching, with additional trophies awarded to the outstanding drum line and color guard and overall champion.

Following the UNK Band Day awards ceremony, bands will participate in the Bearcat Marching Festival at Kearney High School. That event provides a “comments only” clinic format, where bands receive feedback about their field performances in advance of formal competitions later in the fall.

UNK Band Day Participants (listed in order of performance)

UNK Pride of the Plains Marching Band

Horizon and Sunrise Middle Schools

Faith Christian

Cozad Middle School

Ogallala Middle School

Lexington Middle School

Axtell

Wilcox-Hildreth

Arcadia

Kenesaw

Overton

North Platte St. Patrick’s

Parkview Christian

Amherst

Elm Creek

Grand Island Central Catholic

Gibbon

Wood River

Ord

Doniphan-Trumbull

Centura

Broken Bow

Arapahoe

Ravenna

Holdrege

Kearney Catholic

Hastings

Grand Island

Kearney High