Luverne High School flag corps member Chelsea Cronin marches in the 2000 Band Festival parade.
By Lori Ehde
Members of the Tri-State Band Festival Committee are preparing for roughly 10,000 people to descend on the city of Luverne Saturday for the 52nd annual event.
This year, 20 bands made up of more than 2,400 students will be a part of the regional festival, according to the Luverne Chamber of Commerce.
The bands from Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota will gather in Luverne Saturday. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Main Street, and field competition starts at 1 p.m. at the high school.
South Dakota band director David Haugen will serve as this year’s parade marshal. In his capacity as band director and judge, Haugen has participated in more than a dozen Tri-State Band Festivals.
Last year, festival goers enjoyed 70-degree weather, and Luverne earned a second-place trophy in field competition.
The festival is one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the Midwest.
Entrance to all field events requires a Tri-State Band Festival button, designed this year by Luverne High School student Cassy Deters.
Buttons can be purchased either at the gate, or on Main Street, prior to the parade.
See the official Tri-State Band Festival program, enclosed with issue of the Star Herald, for details on the bands, judges and more.