By Staff
Event draws participants from 20 different schools
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
More than 1,000 marching band members from 20 different schools participated in the 11th Annual Southern Hospitality Marching Festival at J. P. Cain Stadium in Hartselle Oct. 7. They competed in five divisions based on band size, with trophies being awarded for best band, best drum major, best color guard, best dance line, best percussion and best majorettes. Challenge cups were awarded to the bands that were judged best overall in each division.
Marching bands from Hartselle High and the University of North Alabama gave exhibition performances at the end of the all-day program.
He also commended band members the hospitality they showed toward visiting band members.
The event was coordinated by Ginny Carden and Jeff Vaughn, Hartselle Junior High band director. Assistant band director Ryan Nix also played a key role.
Judges were Dr. Johnny Jacob, Wayne Washam, Mike Holmes, Stephanie Ezell, Chris Waters, Dr. Joe Walters, Chris Moore and Kim Phillips.
Challenge Cup winners were Fyffe, Class A; Brooks, 2A; Muscle Shoals, 3A; Ft. Payne, 4A; and Bob Jones, 5A. Ft. Payne and Muscle Shoals were also winners in 2005.
Best in Class award winners were: Drum Major—Cleveland, A; Brooks, 2A; Fairview, 3A; Franklin County, 4A and Bob Jones, 5A. Color Guard—Curry, A; Brooks, 2A; Muscle Shoals, 3A; Ft. Payne, 4A; and Bob Jones, 5A. Dance Line—Cleveland, A; Brooks, 2A; Mt. Brook, 3A; and Ft. Payne, 4A. Percussion—Red Bay, A; J.B. Pennington, 2A; Muscle Shoals, 3A; Brewer 4A; and Bob Jones, 5A. Majorettes—Cleveland, A; Brooks, 2A; Muscle Shoals, 3A; Franklin County, 4A; and Florence, 5A; Band—Fyfe, A; Brooks, 2A; Muscle Shoals, 3A; Ft. Payne, 4A; and Florence, 5A.
Ones and twos were used to rate each band’s overall performance as well as in the categories of drum major, color guard, majorettes, dance line, feature twirler and percussion. Several bands received all ones. They were Fyffe, Red Bay, Cleveland, J.B. Pennington, Fairview, Mortimer Jordan, Muscle Shoals, Mt. Brook, Ft. Payne, Gardendale, Brewer and Bob Jones,
Assisting in the presentation of trophies were HHS band members, Amanda Elliott, Hayden Grove, Zach Cadle, Aron Grandstaff, Kathryn Mitchell and Lindsey Wauford.