NATCHITOCHES – The Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band will host the annual Classic on the Cane Marching Contest on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Turpin Stadium. Competition begins at 9 a.m. The Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band will perform at 5 p.m. The Awards Ceremony is at 5:15 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for senior citizens, military and children 8 and under.

NSU Director of Bands Anthony Pursell said 23 high school bands from Louisiana will take part in one of the state’s top showcases for high school marching bands.

Schools competing are Many, Pickering, Buckeye, Byrd, Franklin Parish, Jena, Pine Prairie, Ruston, Patterson, North DeSoto, Ouachita Parish, Central, Tioga and Acadiana. Also competing are Haughton, Benton, East Ascension, E.D. White, Airline, Parkway, West Monroe, Central Lafourche and Lafayette.

Awards will be presented to the top five overall bands, top three bands in each classification and best in class for percussion and color guard/auxiliary. Trophies will be given to any band, color guard or percussion section that is rated as superior. There will also be awards for most entertaining show and most spirited supporters. A most outstanding soloist will be honored in each classification. The Thomas Rogers Outstanding Soloist Award will be awarded to a soloist who is selected by the adjudication panel.

For more information, go to demonband.nsula.edu and download the Spectator Guidebook.