Strike up the band season
The feud begins Saturday.
The Lake Park Lancers will open the marching band season with the Roselle high school's annual Lancer Joust, an all-day extravaganza featuring bands from throughout the Midwest.
The event, expected to attract thousands of spectators, has been a tradition for more than 25 years. This year, 18 high school bands from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin will battle for glory.
"We have some of the best bands in the area coming to the contest," Lake Park Band Director Michael Chiodo said.
Schools scheduled to compete include Wheaton Warrenville South, Wheaton North, Waubonsie Valley, Naperville North, Wheeling, Hersey and Prospect. Lake Park participates but does not compete.
"We are still judged and we get a score, but we don't compete for the trophy," Chiodo said. "It's just proper etiquette. Nobody else competes in their own show."
Lake Park's competition is one of the first in the region, and it's modeled after the Bands of America national competition. Many bands that participate move on to compete at the state and national levels.
Preliminary competition will take place from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lake Park High School West Campus stadium, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. The top 10 scoring bands will compete in the finals, which begin at 7:30 p.m.
The event serves as Lake Park's largest fundraiser for its marching band. It's been known to generate about $15,000 for uniforms, instruments and travel expenses.
Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens.
If you go
What: Lancer Joust
When: Preliminary competition from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Finals at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Park High School West Campus stadium, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle.
Cost: $10 for adults, $7 for children, students and senior citizens.
Info: (630) 295-5313.