The Demopolis High School River City Blue marching band will host a band competition next weekend.

The first annual Bands on the River marching competition will be held at Tiger Stadium on the Demopolis High School campus at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4. There will be nine bands competing in the contest with the River City Blue performing in exhibition. The award ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

The bands scheduled to compete are Isabella High School, Leroy High School, Sweet Water High School, Fruitdale High School, Thomasville High School, Jackson High School, Clarke County High School, Southern Choctaw High School and Hale County High School.

“When my predecessor Phil Bonds was here, there was a competition here for a couple years, but it kind of got lost in the transition,” said DHS band director Matt Fields. “Right now, there’s nothing really close to here that bands can attend without having to drive an hour or more to get to.”

Fields said the purpose of the event, in addition to it being a fundraiser for the DHS band program, is to help bands improve their performances.

“It will provide an event and atmosphere for bands to be judged and critiqued so they can continue to improve,” he added. “Ideally for us, the proceeds will go to our annual operating budget. It can help us with new school-owned instruments and new uniforms as well as the music we purchase, which costs between $40 and $70 for each piece.”

Admission will be $5 for adults, $3 for students and children 5 and under will get in free. Parking will be $2. Concessions will be served throughout the afternoon.

For more information, contact Fields at 289-0294, extension 5254.