The three Atchison County school bands are staying busy this fall by participating in area parades:
Fairfax
The Fairfax Marching Pride will be marching down Main Street in Fairfax, Missouri, at 8:15 a.m. Friday September 11. They will be marching in full uniform as a practice run for their next parade, which will be the following day, Saturday September 12, at 1 p.m. at the Popcorn Day Parade in Hamburg, Iowa.
On Saturday, September 18, the band will travel to Humboldt, Nebraska, to march in the Richardson County Fair Parade at 11 a.m. This is a non-competitive parade. On Saturday, October 3, the Marching Pride will compete in the Southwest Iowa Band Jamboree in Clarinda, Iowa. Parade time is 9 a.m. They will close their marching season Saturday, October 10, at the Missouri Western State University Homecoming Parade in St. Joseph, Missouri. Parade time is 3 p.m. They will not be able to participate in the NWMSU Homecoming Parade due to another high school activity scheduled that day.
Tarkio
The Tarkio Marching Indians are staying busy this year by not only performing in area parades, but also by playing at East Atchison sporting events. This fall, the pep band will be performing at the football games September 18 and 25 and October 9 and 23.
On Saturday, October 3, the Marching Indians will compete in the Southwest Iowa Band Jamboree in Clarinda, Iowa. Parade time is 9 a.m. They will also participate in the Lord’s Acre Day Parade Saturday, October 10, in Westboro, Missouri, and the NWMSU Homecoming Parade in Maryville, Missouri, on Saturday, October 31.
Rock Port
The Rock Port Marching Blue Jays are staying busy this year by not only performing in area parades, but also by playing at home sporting events. This fall, the band will be performing at the homecoming football game September 11 and the home football games September 25, October 2, and October 16.
The band will begin its marching season at the Hamburg, Iowa, Popcorn Day Parade Saturday, September 12, at 1 p.m. The band will also march and/or perform at the: Richard County Fair Parade Saturday, September 18, at 11 a.m.; Carrollton Band Day (indoor only) Saturday, September 26; Southwest Iowa Band Jamboree in Clarinda, Iowa, Saturday, October 3 (parade and field); Cameron, Missouri, Competition (parade, field, and indoor) Saturday, October 17; NWMSU Homecoming Parade Saturday, October 31; and the Citizens Bank & Trust Halloween Parade at 4:30 p.m. October 31.
New this year, the band will also perform at the Kansas Speedway before the 2 p.m. NASCAR race on Sunday, September 27, 2026!
These are just SOME of the events the musicians will be taking part in, as there are several other performances, conference and district events, and winter concerts in the works. Be sure to attend some or all of the events and show your support of the band students. The kids work hard to not only learn the music, but perfect their synchronized steps and bring positive recognition to the schools!
