The 56^th Annual Washington High School (Gene Hunt) Marching Band Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 5.

The festival features a field competition at WHS. There will be no parade. The field competition at Scanlan Stadium begins at 10 a.m.

As the hosts, the Pride of Washington Marching Blue Jays will give an exhibition performance at 8 p.m. They are not eligible for awards.

There will be 16 bands on hand for the event.

The Pride of Washington Marching Blue Jays, under the direction of Gretchen Pohlman, is comprised of students in grades 9-12 and has 110 members this year. They began rehearsing in June and finish their season in November with football playoff games. They travel to local competitions and compete at BOA St. Louis. Their show brings competitive elements to the field as well as interesting music, design, and color guard.

Competing at the Sullivan Festival on Saturday, September 21, the Pride of Washington Marching Blue Jays took first place in the Blue Division for outstanding music, visual and affect.

The Blue Jays also are involved in many parades throughout the year. They start the season with the Washington Fair Parade in August. They also march in the WHS Homecoming Parade and the City of Washington’s Christmas Parade held the day after Thanksgiving.