Twelve high school bands from Wayne, Henry and Randolph counties headed north last weekend to test their Indiana State Fair shows.

Centerville, Hagerstown, Lincoln and Randolph Southern traveled to Jay County Lions’ contest on Friday, July 24, in Portland.

Centerville led Wayne County schools, finishing fifth after Spirit of Muncie, Anderson, Winchester and Jay County. Judges awarded the Blue Regiment 60.025 points, just a smidgen over nearby Hagerstown with 59.925.

Additional finishes for the field of 13, in order, were Yorktown, Decatur County Greensburg, Marion, Randolph Southern, Lincoln, Eastbrook and Blackford County.

Kendra Sanders, Hagerstown director, reacts to her band’s performance on Saturday, July 25, at the Muncie Spirit of Sound contest. Photo by Sherry Stuart

On Saturday, 24 bands participated in the Muncie Spirit of Sound contest at Muncie Central.

The host school finished first. Anderson was second, followed by Ben Davis, Winchester, Kokomo, Jay County and Mooresville.

Hagerstown placed eighth by scoring 63.350, just surpassing ninth-place Richmond with 63.213.

Northeastern earned 12th after Yorktown and Montgomery County United.

Additional results in order: Western Boone, Marion, Hamilton Heights, Frankton-Lapel, Tri-West, Tri, Crawfordsville, Monroe Central, Decatur County Greensburg, Cowan-Daleville, Henry County Crimson Crusaders and Blackford County.

Next events

  • 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: Hagerstown ice cream social, 3 p.m., elementary football field. Free admission; food for sale.
  • Aug. 1: Drums at Winchester, Winchester Community High School. Nineteen schools will begin at 7 p.m., including Centerville, Lincoln, Northeastern, Richmond, Henry County, Randolph Southern and Winchester. 
  • Aug. 2: RHS ice cream social, Lyboult Field, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. Food at 5 p.m., show at 7.
  • Aug. 7: Indiana State Fair, 9 a.m., Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis. Field includes 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. 
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A version of this article will appear in the July 29 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.