In a few days, downtown Albert Lea will be overrun with marching high schoolers, and organizers are certain it won’t rain on their parade.

Friday, June 15, 2001

In a few days, downtown Albert Lea will be overrun with marching high schoolers, and organizers are certain it won’t rain on their parade.

Other weekend activities may be dampened by recent wet weather, but the Albert Lea Festival of Bands will stick to the high ground this Sunday, said organizer Dick Hench.

&uot;It sounds like it’s going to be a good day,&uot; Hench said. &uot;The long-term forecast says we’re supposed to have clear skies and 70 to 80 degrees.&uot;

A perfect day for a parade, in fact. As many as 10,000 people attended last year’s competition, and Hench hopes to double the crowd this year.

The parade will start at 2 p.m. and last between two-and-a-half and three hours, Hench said. The Albert Lea Marching Tigers and BrassWorks exhibition band will be joined by 22 of Minnesota’s finest high school bands, a color guard and Grand Marshall LaVerne Walheim.

BrassWorks is a regional band made up of music professionals and former band members. It is an all-brass group, which gives it a unique sound, Hench said.

&uot;They’re all very good musicians and they march in a lot of parades,&uot; he said. &uot;Their entire purpose is to have fun and entertain people … You never know what they’re going to do. The people of Albert Lea are going to get a bang out of them.&uot;

The bands will be spaced at seven-minute intervals to make sure they don’t crowd each other out, he said.

&uot;When a band marches down the street it is different from a float, it’s different from a car, it’s different from a horse,&uot; Hench said. &uot;We want each band to get the full attention of the parade.&uot;

Organizers recommend the bands perform their programs four times during the parade, but there are some spots where the bands are certain to play. Spectators who sit near the judges stand between College and Main on Broadway are sure to get a good show, Hench said. Another good spot will be at the corner of Main and Washington, where television cameras will be taping the bands’ performance.

Volunteers will walk the parade route distributing free programs with information about the bands. A food court with six or seven vendors will be set up in the area of William Street, and kettle corn stands will be available along the route, Hench said.

Parking is available anywhere downtown except by the old high school. Even the residents will have to move their vehicles from the area by Sunday morning, Hench said.

&uot;We have 59 buses and trailers and the cars that go with them,&uot; He said. &uot;Each spot is designated.&uot;