The band students of Licking Heights High School are marching into a new school year–and a new competition season. The Marching Hornets will host their 14th annual Pageant of Bands competition from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Licking Heights Football Stadium, 4000 Mink St., Pataskala, OH 43062.

The event will feature 10 high school marching bands from across Ohio, along with a performance from the Tiffin University marching band, The Roar of the Dragons. Licking Heights alumna Georgie Ward, class of 2020, is currently Tiffin’s Field Commander.

All community members are welcome to come support the performers. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

“We love hosting the Pageant of Bands. It is exciting to bring in outstanding bands from across the state, and then have experts in the pressbox giving our students feedback to help them grow,” Director of Bands Meg Beavers says. “My favorite moment is as we are marching to the stadium, watching our students' eyes light up with excitement when they see the packed home stands.”

This year’s competing bands include:

Marion Local Band, Marion Local High School
Nelsonville-York Marching Buckeyes, Nelsonville-York High School
Portsmouth High School Band, Portsmouth High School
Pride of London, London High School
Licking Valley Marching Panthers, Licking Valley High School
Heath High School Marching Band, Heath High School
Watkins Memorial Marching Warriors, Watkins Memorial High School
Berne Union Golden Rocket Marching Band, Berne Union High School
Golden Sound of the Vikings, Teays Valley High School
Licking Heights Marching Hornets, Licking Heights High School