The De Soto High School Band program will welcome marching bands from across the region for the Second Annual Fountain City Classic Marching Invitational on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at J.C. Culwell Stadium at De Soto High School.
This year’s event will feature nine competing high school marching bands, along with an exhibition performance by the De Soto High School Marching Band. The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the National Anthem performed by the De Soto High School Brass Ensemble, followed by the first competitive performance at 4:15 p.m.
Participating Bands and Performance Schedule
Bands will compete in three classifications—Class A, Class AA, and Class AAA—throughout the evening.
4:15 p.m. – Grandview Eagle Pride
4:30 p.m. – Louisiana Marching Bulldog Brigade
4:45 p.m. – New Madrid County Marching Eagles
5:00 p.m. – St. James Red Regiment
5:15 p.m. – Central Marching Rebels
5:45 p.m. – Ste. Genevieve High School Marching Band
6:00 p.m. – Potosi Trojan Marching Band
6:15 p.m. – Hillsboro Marching Hawks
6:30 p.m. – North County Raider Regiment
Following the final competitive performance, the De Soto High School Marching Band will take the field for an exhibition performance at approximately 6:45 p.m. while scores are tabulated. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Bands will be evaluated in several areas, including music, visual performance, overall effect, percussion, drum major, and auxiliary performance, with awards presented at the conclusion of the evening.
College Fair Returns
De Soto High School will once again host a college fair in conjunction with the Fountain City Classic, providing festival attendees with the opportunity to meet and speak with representatives from area colleges and universities.
The college fair adds another valuable component to the event, giving students and families the opportunity to explore postsecondary options while enjoying an evening of outstanding student performances.
A New Format for 2026
Unlike the inaugural Fountain City Classic, which included both parade and field competitions, the 2026 event will focus exclusively on field performances. The condensed format is designed to provide spectators with a continuous evening of marching band performances at J.C. Culwell Stadium.
The Fountain City Classic also serves as an important fundraiser for the De Soto High School Band program. Proceeds from the event help the program continue to keep the cost of participating in marching band among the lowest in the area.
Admission
Admission prices for the Fountain City Classic are:
Adults: $10
Students: $5
Senior Citizens: $5
Children under 5: Free
Admission is cash only.
Parking and Traffic Information
The Fountain City Classic will be held on the football field at J.C. Culwell Stadium.
Spectator parking will be available in the main parking lot near the football field. Additional parking will be available along Amvets Drive and in the west parking lot, with shuttles available to assist community members in getting to the stadium.
For the safety of participating students, spectators, staff, and volunteers, Culwell Drive and Stadium Drive behind the secondary campus will be closed to through traffic during the event.
Community members, families, alumni, and marching band fans are encouraged to attend and support the hundreds of student musicians who will take the field throughout the evening.
Join us on October 3 for an evening of music, competition, and school spirit as De Soto High School proudly hosts the Second Annual Fountain City Classic Marching Invitational!