Athlone is to host the All-Ireland Marching Band Association Finals for the second year in succession later this month.
Some 10 bands are set to compete in the prestigious Irish Marching Band Association (IMBA ) All-Ireland finals in Athlone Town Stadium in Lissywoollen on Saturday, September 11.
Organisers expect up to 2,000 people to converge on the Athlone stadium for the prestigious event.
The Irish Marching Band final operates on a league basis with five rounds spread out over the summer season, culminating in the national championship finals in Athlone. The Athlone leg is the last round of the league but also acts separately as the national championships.
The Athlone-based Ravens Marching Band is hosting the All-Ireland finals. It has already sewn up the junior class in the league and will be hoping to carry off victory in the championship finals in front of its home supporters.
Marching band competitions involve members of the band performing a themed show to music in drill formation and for the public’s entertainment.
The bands are standard drum corps with half the band lines carrying forward-facing instruments and the remainder playing woodwind and lower bass instruments.
Some 600 musicians are expected to take part in the finals, with early entries including the Inbhear Mor Marching Band from Arklow, the Tallaght Youth Band, the Tallaght Festival Band, the Clonmel Bluehawks Band and the Clondalkin Youth Band as well as The Tallaght Festival Band Cadets and The Tallaght Youth Band Cadets and The Ravens.
The event is open to the public from 4.15pm until its conclusion around 10pm and organisers are promising an amazing family day of fun with some of Ireland’s most spectacular showbands. Eleven judges are being brought in from the UK to adjudicate on the national finals.
Colm Bolger of The Ravens Marching Band is anticipating a fascinating event of entertainment and competition at the national finals.
“It’s a huge honour for The Ravens and for Athlone to host these finals for the second year. We are looking forward to a fantastic occasion in Athlone Town Stadium,” he said.
Food and refreshments will be available on the night as well as face painting and other sideshows.
Moate-based dance troupe Dancezone will also provide entertainment during breaks in competition.
The stadium will open to the general public at 4.15pm, with competitions expected to get underway at 6pm. Admission is free for children. Adults €3.
