Among the twirling batons, trumpet blasts, and crash of cymbals band students from high schools throughout Alabama joined together on the Pell City High School football field to compete. Not in a battle of brawn and speed, but in technicality, originality, and skill.

Approximately 15 bands, including from as far away as Hartselle and Falkville, traveled to Pell City for the competition on Saturday, Oct. 21. Pell City has hosted a band festival every year since 1980, this being the 38th Annual Event, making it the second oldest band festival in the state.

“This is a good opportunity for us,” Sid Brown, Pell City High School Band Director stated. “The festival helps raise funds to purchase instruments, transportation, and general equipment that we need to keep growing.”

Awards were given for Best in Class Band, Drum Major, Majorette, Dance Line, Color Guard, Percussion, Most Entertaining, Highest Musical Score, and Best in Division. There were ten judges, who looked for how well each band played the music, their marching and maneuverability, and their general effect, i.e. if the band is entertaining and people are enjoying the performance.

While the Pell City Marching Band of Gold can not compete in their own festival, they did an exhibition performance for the visiting schools.

These are the winners for the 2017 Pell City Marching Band Festival:

Best in Class Band

Class 1A: West End

Class 2A: White Plains

Class 3A: Central of Clay County

Class 4A: Hartselle

Best in Class Drum Major

Class 1A: West End

Class 2A: White Plains

Class 3A: Central of Clay County

Class 4A: Hartselle

Best in Class Majorette

Class 1A: West End

Class 2A: Bibb County

Class 3A: Central of Clay County

Class 4A: Hartselle

Best in Class Dance Line

Class 1A: (none)

Class 2A: Bibb County

Class 3A: Huffman

Class 4A: Pinson Valley

Best in Class Color Guard

Class 1A: Falkville

Class 2A: Bibb County

Class 3A: Central of Clay County

Class 4A: Hartselle

Best in Class Percussion

Class 1A: West End

Class 2A: Bibb County

Class 3A: Central of Clay County

Class 4A: Hartselle

Dennis Diffee award for Most Entertaining Band for Class 1A & 2A: West End

Dennis Diffee award for Most Entertaining Band for Class 3A & 4A: Hartselle

Ronnie White award for Highest Music Score for Class 1A & 2A:

(tie) White Plains & Montevallo

Ronnie White award for Highest Music Score for Class 3A & 4A:

Central of Clay County

Best in Division 1A & 2A: Bibb County

Best in Division 3A & 4A: Hartselle