Three showbands from Canada, a champion drum and bugle corps, and 20 high school bands
from across Minnesota are set to perform in Alexandria’s 32nd Annual Vikingland Band Festival on Sunday, June 26, at 1:30 p.m.
The parade on Broadway Street in Alexandria will feature more than 2,000 performers in the event’s biggest lineup since 1999.
The Vikingland Band Festival has a reputation as Minnesota’s largest and most prestigious summer marching band competition. High school bands compete for trophies and Grand Champion honors, while guest exhibition units entertain the crowd with unique marching styles.
“This lineup is unlike anything we’ve had in recent memory, and the parade is going to be a treat for spectators,” festival co-founder Ken Martinson said.
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“The Calgary Stampede Showband won world championship titles in Japan in 2013 and Brazil in 2014. We are thrilled that families in Central Minnesota will get to experience this world class group.”
Another powerful highlight will be Minnesota Brass Drum & Bugle Corps, which has earned the gold or silver medal at the all-age drum corps championship six of the last eight years.
The full lineup of 24 marching units includes the Calgary Stampede Showband (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), Calgary Stetson Show Band, Calgary Round-Up Band, Minnesota Brass Drum & Bugle Corps, Alexandria; Albany, Champlin Park, Dassel-Cokato, Fergus Falls, Henry Sibley, Hutchinson, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Mankato 77 Lancers, Maple Lake, Milaca, New York Mills, Richfield, Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice, Solar Sound, St. Michael-Albertville, Waconia, Winona Cotter and the 728 Cadets.
Spectators will find four prime viewing zones along the parade route where every marching band is certain to perform. These locations are near 6th, 8th, 11th and 14th Avenues.
Admission along the parade route is free of charge. Bleacher seating is available for purchase at the festival website.
This year’s festival is a two-day event, as the Vikingland Band Festival will also present the Minnesota Drum Corps at Alexandria Area High School on Saturday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m.
Discounted advance tickets are available through the Festival website.
For more information about the parade and field show, visit VikinglandBandFestival.com .
