Archway Classic grows to 10 bands

All five Wayne County high school bands will show off their Indiana State Fair Band Day routines this weekend to see how their judges, audience and directors react. 

Ten Hoosier bands are competing in the Centerville Archway Classic on Saturday, July 18. The event begins at 7 p.m., an hour earlier than last year because three more bands are registered. 

Centerville Senior High School’s band director Chris Glover and Melissa Gallagher, Centerville Music Boosters treasurer, said they’re happy to have more contest participants.

Blackford County’s Bruin Pride opens the contest at 7 p.m., followed by the Frankfort Hot Dog Band at 7:09 p.m.

Tri-West Marching Blue Alliance takes the field at 7:18 p.m. and Northeastern’s Marching Knights get their turn at 7:27 p.m., followed by Hagerstown Golden Tigers at 7:36 p.m.

After a break, The Force of Winchester starts at 8:05 p.m., followed by Lincoln’s Marching Eagles at 8:14 p.m. and Mooresville at 8:23 p.m. 

The final two bands are Centerville Blue Regiment at 8:32 p.m. and Richmond Red Devil Marching Band at 8:41 p.m. 

Awards will be distributed around 9 p.m.

The event will take place no matter the weather because other contests are planned around the state on the subsequent weekends before the state fair, but could be moved inside or otherwise modified. 

Music boosters and band staff organize the annual contest with support from school employees.  

This year’s team guiding Centerville’s Blue Regiment include Glover, Emily Arndt-Stuckey, Kurtis Stuckey, Tristan Migoski, Lisa Mullen, Ashlyn Bullock, Tyler Calvelage, Lorelei Guenther and Tasha Jordan.  

About 50 volunteers typically are needed to run Archway Classic, with duties including parking, concessions and hospitality room management. Prospective volunteers may attend a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, in CSHS’ band room, or email centervillemusicboosters@gmail.com. 

Centerville’s show theme is “Rocky Road,” blending selections from the 2005 “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” movie, “The Nutcracker” ballet and “A Million Dreams” from “The Greatest Showman.”

“Rocky Road” shirts are available at thecraftingcompany.myshopify.com/products/2026-blue-regiment-rocky-road-show-shirt.

More shows

• July 17: Monroe Central Clinic, 6:30 p.m., Monroe Central Jr.-Sr. High School, 1878 N. 100 W., Parker City. Its performers, in order, are Randolph Southern, Lincoln, Henry County Crimson Crusaders, Tri, Cowan-Daleville, Eastbrook, Hagerstown, Winchester, Frankton-Lapel, Decatur County Greensburg and Monroe Central. Each band gets 20 minutes to perform and learn. 

Additional contests in future weeks:

• July 23: Montgomery County United Golden Lions Invitational (no area schools)
• July 24: Jay County Lions Band Contest, 7 p.m. at Jay County Fairgrounds. Performance order: Eastbrook, Winchester, Hagerstown, Decatur County Greensburg, Centerville, Muncie, Lincoln, Anderson, Jay County, Randolph Southern, Marion, Yorktown, Blackford County. 
• July 25: Muncie Spirit of Sound, 6:30 p.m., Muncie Central High School. The 24-band field includes Hagerstown, Henry County Crimson Crusaders, Northeastern, Richmond, Tri and Winchester. 
• July 31: Anderson Tartan Tournament of Bands, 6:30 p.m., Highland Middle School, Anderson. The 24 bands include Hagerstown, Henry County, Randolph Southern and Tri.
• Aug. 1: Drums at Winchester, Winchester Community High School. Nineteen schools will begin at 7 p.m. Performers include Centerville, Lincoln, Northeastern, Richmond, Henry County, Randolph Southern and the host school. 
• Aug. 7: Indiana State Fair, 9 a.m., Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis. Area performers include Winchester, 10:03 a.m.; Centerville, 11:06 a.m.; Randolph Southern, 11:42 a.m.; Hagerstown, 1:09 p.m.; Richmond, 1:36 p.m.; Lincoln, 2:30 p.m.; Northeastern, 2:48 p.m.; Tri, 2:57 p.m.; and Henry County, 3:15 p.m. The 4 p.m. awards determine qualifiers for the 8 p.m. finals. Tickets at indianastatefair.com/p/entertainment1/hoosier-lottery-grandstand.