MASON CITY— Festival goers enjoyed “Bands, Birthdays, and Brass” as the 87th North Iowa Band Festival parade marched through Mason City. This year’s Band Festival King and Queen were Jonah Carson from Central Springs High School and Ava Menke from Lake Mills High School.
Perennial marching band powerhouse Lake Mills High School claimed the Meredith Willson Grand Champion Award, which is awarded to the high school marching band with the overall highest score. The Festival’s newest honor, the Spirit of Meredith Willson Award, was given to Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School for exemplifying great enthusiasm, devotion, and honor. As host schools for the event, Mason City High School and Newman Catholic High School marching bands are not eligible for the competition, and their royalty are not eligible to be crowned festival queen and king.
To encourage participation in the marching band competition from area schools, the North Iowa Band Festival Committee provides travel stipends to each participating band. The schools that marched in this year’s parade represent more than 25 communities with a long history of participation in the festival parade.
In the float competition, CURRIES employees received top honors in the Grand Marshal Award competition for best use of festival theme, creatively using the commercial steel doors and frames they make at the local plant.
Award Winners:
Marching Bands
Class 1A: Lake Mills High School
Class 2A: Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School
Parade Competition
Grand Marshal Award (presented to the parade entry with the best use of the festival theme “Bands, Birthdays, and Brass”):
CURRIES—1st Place
43 North Iowa —2nd Place
Clear Lake Bank & Trust—3rd Place
Mr. Toot Award (presented to the entry with the most originality, artistic quality, and well-crafted design, based on a theme of their choice):
Joy Supply Co Party Rentals—1st Place
Mason City High School Summer Musical—2nd Place
St. James Lutheran Church—3rd Place
The carnival and concessions will open at noon on both Sunday and Monday in Downtown Mason City, weather permitting. The carnival will hold “Wrist Band Days” on both days, providing unlimited rides for $25 each day.
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The North Iowa Band Festival is hosted each year by the Greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce to honor the region’s musical heritage. Corporate donations and the volunteer efforts of scores of people enable the Chamber to offer the festival as free event for all to enjoy!