The bands will come marching along Tidelands Avenue into Pepper Park in National City starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Oct.7, for the 2017 Maytime Band Review.
The parade competition comes alive for the second consecutive year since its revival. Originally the community event ran from 1948 through 2004 to highlight high school bands throughout the United States for competition.
In 2016 the Maytime Band Review came back for the first time at its traditional Highland Avenue location.
But this year fundraising efforts could not reach the $40,000 goal needed to pay for police and other expenses to keep the event on Highland Avenue, so with the help of the Port of San Diego the Maytime Band Review will take place at Tidelands Avenue leading into Pepper Park from 24th Street to 32nd Street.
Event organizers raised $30,000 for this year’s event.
Karen Azhocar McManus, president of Maytime Band Association, said hosting the event at Pepper Park brings a different element to the band review.
Sweetwater Union High School District and two Grossmont Union High School District bands will start at Tidelands Avenue and march into Pepper Park as bands compete for awards and trophies. The Mount Miguel Alumni Band and a few school bands from Riverside County will also compete.
Bands will be judged on the best overall band, the best drum major and the best color guard. After the parade and competition there will be entertainment provided by San Diego-based Fern Street Circus.
