County Night of Bands showcases halftime shows

Published 6:30 am Saturday, October 21, 2017

For those who live for the halftime show, the County Night of Bands is a sure bet. On Oct. 24, over 800 marching band members from the area’s six county high schools will come together at East Limestone High School’s football field to perform their halftime shows for one another and a packed stadium.

The Rocketeers Drum and Bugle Corps from Huntsville kick off the show at 6:30 p.m. The Chick-fil-A cows will also be on hand — or rather, “on hoof” — to entertain the crowds.

East Limestone band director Jennifer Janzen said sharing local halftime shows with other band kids was one of the main reasons they started the Night of Bands 12 years ago.

For an organization that is self-supporting, the Night of Bands has also become a profitable fund raising opportunity. It costs a student around $300 to march in the band each year, not including additional expenses the program incurs from things like travel, instrument repairs and instrument replacements.

This year, 2009 East Limestone graduate Andrew Kirk, a financial advisor with Modern Woodmen of America, joined longtime event supporters Chick-fil-A of Athens and Village Pizza as an event sponsor. The former East Limestone drum instructor is matching funds raised, up to $5000.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance from a band student, Athens Chick-fil-A or Village Pizza. They can also be purchased at the gate on the night of the event. Revenue from tickets purchased at the gate and at Chick-fil-A will be divided evenly between participating bands. Tickets sold by individuals will go to their respective programs.

Last year, the event brought in $5000.

“We are always fundraising, and the Night of Bands really helps our families offset some of these expenses,” said Pam Stapleton, marketing director for the East Limestone Community Band Booster’s Association. “And every year, we are seeing an increase in attendance and the money brought in by our sponsors.”

This year, planners are hoping that about 2,000 will turn out to attend the event and that with Kirk’s matching funds, they’ll be able to hit the $10,000 mark.