The Washington Marching Band Festival brought thousands of students to town Saturday.
Now in its 44th year, the festival featured 35 schools and about 2,100 students in both parade and field competition.
The Washington High School Marching Band served as host and performed in both events, but was not judged.
St. Francis Borgia Regional High School and New Haven marching bands won first in their classes in the parade competition.
Troy Bunkley, WHS band director, said the festival was a complete success despite a ruptured water line at the end of the day.
“We had a moderate-size crowd throughout the day,” Bunkley told The Missourian.
“We sold lots of pizza, hot chocolate, coffee and chili,” he said. “A brisk wind kept the hot food popular.”
Bunkley said the judges were again amazed at the efficiency and quality of the contest.
“All of the judges spoke of the competition as one of the best run festivals they have ever judged at,” he said.
Bunkley thanked the Washington School District, city of Washington and the patrons for their support of the band festival.
“Without their support, an event of this size could not be the success it was,” he said.
Here are the results of the field and parade competition.
Parade Winners
Class A — St. Francis Borgia Regional High School, first place; Sullivan High School, second; and Bayless High School, third.
Class B — Fatima High School, first place; Hermann High School, second; Cuba High School, third; Herculaneum High School, fourth; and Bourbon High School, fifth.
Class C — Elsberry High School, first place; Steelville High School, second; Clever High School, third; Cabool High School, fourth; Linn High School, fifth; and Bismarck/Caledonia High School, sixth.
Class D — New Haven High School, first; Maries R-I High School, second; Fordland High School, third; and Louisiana High School, fourth.
Field Winners
Class A — Parkway North High School, first place; Rolla High School, second; Cape Central High School, third; Mehlville High School, fourth; Troy Buchanan High School, fifth; Parkway West High School, sixth; and Republic High School, seventh.
Class B — Waterloo High School, first place; Union High School, second; Warrenton High School, third; St. Francis Borgia Regional High School, fourth; and Sullivan High School, fifth.
Class C — Owensville High School, first place; Hermann High School, second; Sparta High School, third; Herculaneum High School, fourth; Orchard Farm High School, fifth place; and Bayless High School, sixth place.
