The 31st annual Zia Marching Band Fiesta will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, at University Stadium. Sponsored by the University of New Mexico Bands, the event features a competition between 29 high school marching bands from New Mexico, Texas and Colorado.
The judging panel is comprised of experts in the field of marching band and pageantry from across the United States. Approximately 3,000 high school students will participate in the fiesta before a crowd of parents, band boosters and other spectators.
The preliminary competition begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends with a performance by the UNM Spirit Marching Band at 4:45 p.m. Trophies for the preliminary round are then presented. The top ten bands from the preliminary round advance to the final round of competition, which begins at 7:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the finals, the Zia Grand Champion for 2008 will be crowned.
Tickets are available only at the gate on the day of the fiesta. Prices range from $4-$7 for students and $8-$14 for adults.