One of Waseca’s biggest events of the year is taking place next weekend, with the 37th annual Waseca Marching Classic set to draw in more than 1,000 students and thousands more family members, music lovers and staff on Saturday, Sept.21.
Kicking off at noon with a parade of nearly 100 units, the Marching Classic will make its way to Trowbridge Park for an award ceremony before arriving at Waseca Junior-Senior High School for a classic field show, featuring eight parade bands and 12 field bands.
While the hometown Waseca Marching Jays are always going to be a beloved fan favorite, the Marching Classic has grown substantially over the years and today draws bands, large and small, from the Twin Cities, southern Minnesota, and even Iowa and South Dakota.
Mary Williams, treasurer of the Waseca Marching Classic Inc. Board, is excited that three new bands have joined the fold this year. Two, the Mankato Lancers 77 Marching Band and the Lakeville Panther North Marching Band, are set to compete in the Classic’s largest division.
The third, the Okoboji Pioneer Pride Marching Band from Milford, Iowa, is one of a number of participants which travel over four hours round trip to participate in the marching classic, along with the nearby Spirit Lake “The Force” Marching Band.
Serving as marshals for the parade this year will be Wally and Deb Werling. Though they may not be local celebrities, the Werlings are being honored for their committed service to the Marching Classic, hosting many bands over the years.
While the Marching Classic enjoys robust support from Waseca Public Schools, the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, the Waseca Band Boosters and the city of Waseca, along with many local businesses, it’s the efforts of tireless volunteers that above all make it possible.
Les Tlougan has been a leader of the Marching Classic’s volunteer corps almost going back to its inception. This year, he’s staying in contact with the directors of all the bands that are coming and is also part of a team working to put together the event program.
The Marching Classic’s volunteer team grows from 8 to 10 all the way to 20 or 30 on the day of and the day prior to the event. Tlougan said that for directors, the ample support provided by the volunteer team of organizers stands out as a unique and highly attractive feature of the Classic.
In addition to performing in front of thousands of spectators and competing against other quality bands from across the region, Classic participants benefit from the learning experiences provided in educational music clinics held throughout the day and led by Classic judges.
The Marching Classic will be complemented by the 19th annual Classic Car Show at Club 57. Registration will begin sharp at 9 a.m. with participation voting running until noon, at which time the cars will join the marching bands in the parade.
The Classic Car Show’s registration fee of $10 includes a T-Shirt and Drawing Tickets, matching the $10 fee to buy a wristband at the gate for the Marching Classic field show, though discounted field show tickets are available in advance at many area businesses.
After awards are given to the top performing bands, the night wraps up in style with a fireworks show — a favorite not only of marching band members and directors but of many Waseca residents, and a fitting send-off for what has become a key event for the whole community.
“You bring in 1,000 kids and a lot of their parents and grandparents and community members, and we have those people who come to our festival every year,” Tlougan said.
See the schedule and more at wasecamarchingclassic.com .
Local News
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