Indiana storms force end to marching band contest

MUNCIE, Ind. — Organizers called off a high school marching band contest at a central Indiana county fair as a thunderstorm moved across the area.

The storm that hit the Delaware County fairgrounds in Muncie Thursday evening was among several that raked the state, leaving thousands of homes and businesses without power for a time.

Three of the 11 bands had performed at the Delaware County Fair before the storm with lightning and heavy rain rolled in. Anderson High School band fan William Imel tells The Star Press that the cancellation was the right decision because of the lightning risk.

More than 9,000 power outages were reported across central and southern Indiana in the storm’s wake. Utilities reported fewer than 1,000 outages remained Friday morning.