UPDATE: Congratulations to the Marching Giants for their sixth-straight appearance in the Sweet 16 finals round at the State Fair Band Day!
That officially DOUBLES the Giants' appearances in the finals round from 1999 or earlier. The Giants have advanced to compete in the night show in the following years: 1968 (runner-up), 1969 (champion), 1981, 1982, 1997, 1999, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Next up for the Marching Giants is the ISSMA Summer Showcase on Aug. 22, which will kick off the MHS band program's pursuit of their seventh-straight ISSMA All-Music Award.
Then, on Aug. 28, the Marching Giants will perform at the home football opener vs. Mississinewa, which will be Senior Night for the marching band.
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Posted previously:
The Marching Giants are once headed to the State Fair Band Day competition!
This year’s show is "Transported: A Journey Beyond”. The band is under the direction of MHS Director of Bands Joshua Huff. Drill and program design: Eric Thornbury. Music design: Tim Kovarik. Percussion design: Zach Brumfield. Guard Design: Katelyn Stutzman. Sound design: Caleb Huff. The band features students in grades 7-12.
On Aug. 7, the Marching Giants will compete at this year’s State Fair Band Day, the culminating competition of the CITSA circuit.
If you plan to attend the Indiana State Fair, Band Day is a great day to go! If you’d like to cheer on the Marching Giants at Band Day, they are scheduled to compete in the preliminary round at 10:39 a.m. at the Indiana State Fairground in Indianapolis.
The preliminary round will start at 9 a.m., and Marion High School is the 10th band set to perform, right after the first break. Awards for the prelim round will be announced at 4 p.m.
The top 16 scoring bands from the preliminary round return for the finals in the evening to compete for the State Championship, starting at 8 p.m.
This will be the Giants’ seventh Band Day appearance in a row, and their 22nd overall. In 2025, the Giants made it to the finals for the fifth year straight.
Decades ago, the Giants were a regular feature at State Fair Band Day, reaching the finals six times, and earning the title of Runner-Up in 1968 and State Champion in 1969.
We’d love to see the Giant Nation out to support our Marching Giants at this year’s State Fair!