This years 39th Annual Autumn Classic this Saturday will be quite the fiesta, at least for the Bradford Marching Owls, although every one of the ten participating bands will be playing fantastic music and dancing to their own beats.
The gates will open at 3:15 p.m. this Saturday with many booths available for food and beverages before the opening ceremony begins at 4:45 p.m.
The Marching Owls perform at 7:30 p.m. and according to band director Marissa Golden, “The Bradford Marching Owls 2018 Production is called: Reflexíon Latina. It is a three movement Latin flair show that includes the following selections: Estancia, Novus, and Santana,” she recalls also that “the theme was chosen during the transition from Kathy Thumpston to me. I was a member of the Marching Owls staff last year. We narrowed it down to a few shows and all decided this would be a great fit for the 2018 group.”
The Queen B’s from Studio B as well as a dance team from the Bradford Area Dance Center will perform during this year’s opening ceremonies and members of the Bradford Area High School choir will sing The National Anthem, according to Golden.
During intermission from 6:15 until 6:30 p.m. and throughout the entirety of the evening the “boosters will be running many booths around the stadium including: two concession stands, baked goods, basket raffle and candy grams. There will be a 50/50 and programs for sale,” said Golden.
Although the university teams will not return this year, there will be ample entertainment. Bands from Union City, Cochranton, Cameron County, Iroquois and McDowell will perform and then Sheffield, Otto-Eldred/Oswayo Valley, Port Allegany, Coudersport and Bradford bands will finish out the evening before the awards ceremony at 8 p.m.
According to Golden, this year’s Marching Owls will perform in “General McLane, Harbor Creek, North East, Bradford and the LMBA Championships at Erie in Veterans Stadium,” she went on to describe this year’s team which has “44 playing members and 11 color guard members.”
If one wishes to see the Bradford Marching Owls or any of the other ten bands perform on Saturday at the 39th Annual Autumn Classic, tickets are available for pre sale for general admission; according to Golden they are available at Northwest Savings Bank on Main Street, Ott & McHenry, Bradford Travel and Wright’s Music Shed or they may be purchased at the time of the event at the gate.
