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It was truly “Chamber of Commerce Weather” as the 83rd North Iowa Band Festival parade marched through Mason City. For the first time in memory, the Band Festival Queen and King represent the same school. Ceclia Hill and Jordan Ryner from Central Springs High School made a clean sweep for their alma mater. Ceclia is the daughter of Andy and Michelle Hill and plans to attend Iowa State University this fall. Jordan’s parents are Jayson and Sarah Ryner and he will also enroll at Iowa State.
Perennial marching band powerhouse Lake Mills High School claimed the Meredith Willson Sweepstakes prize, which is awarded to the high school marching band with the overall highest score. 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 30 communities with a long history of participation in the festival parade.
In the float competition, CURRIES employees ran away with top honors in the Grand Marshal Award competition for their depiction of Broadway back stage doors-highlighting the commercial steel doors and frames they make at the local plant. Employees dressed as Broadway musical characters led by Plant Manager Phil Meekins dressed as none other than Professor Harold Hill of The Music Man fame. According to Meekins, “Our employees are already planning next year’s entry.”
Award Winners:
Marching Bands
Class 1A Northwood Kensett High School—1st Place
Class 2A Lake Mills High School—1st Place
Class 3A Forest City High School—1st Place
Parade Competition
Grand Marshal Award—
(presented to the parade entry with the best use of the festival theme “Band Festival on Broadway”)
CURRIES—1st Place
Chad Harrison CPA—2nd Place
Window World of Mason City—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)
First Citizens Bank—1st Place
Clear Lake Bank & Trust—2nd Place
Mason City Lions Club—3rd Place
An outdoor community church service will be held at 9AM on Sunday, May 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The carnival and concessions will open at noon on both Sunday and Monday in Downtown Mason City. The carnival will hold “Wrist Band Days” on both days, providing unlimited rides for $20 each day.
The North Iowa Band Festival is sponsored each year by the Mason City Chamber of Commerce to honor of 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.
