The Pride of Herndon Marching Band will host the 29th Annual Showcase of Bands at Herndon High School on September 26, 2026. This year over 30 high school bands will perform at this event, all accompanied by a large contingent of parents and supporters. We invite you as a member of the Herndon community and friend of Herndon High School band program to support this exciting event by purchasing advertising space in the online Showcase event program that will be seen by over 5,000 event attendees.

Consider sending your favorite marcher an Air Gram, straight from our website. The Air Gram will magically travel to the press box and will be heard by the entire stadium.

Tickets

·      Online ticket sales: on this page

·      On-Site: Cash & Credit Cards accepted

·      General Admission: $12

·      Senior Citizen: $10

·      Students (ages 6–12): $6

·      Children 5 and under: Free

·      Free for students wearing a Herndon Pyramid school shirt with a paying adult

Schedule

·      Performance and Awards Schedule

·      Warm Up and Logistics Schedule

Arrival and Warm Ups

Bus Instructions and Parking

·      Buses enter campus at the second entrance off Bennett Street to drop off bands at Door 1.

·      After unloading, volunteers will direct buses to on-site or off-site parking.

·      Buses and trucks may approach via neighborhood routes to avoid spectator traffic on Bennett Street.

·      The Lecture Hall, located just inside Door 1 at the front entrance, has been designated as a waiting area for bus drivers.

·      Bus drivers may receive one wristband for access to the stadium upon request at the registration desk.

Pit Instructions and Parking

·      Pit trucks enter campus at the second entrance off Bennett Street. Pit vehicle parking is on the south side of the school. Volunteers will direct trucks to assigned spaces upon arrival.

·      After unloading, proceed to the Pit Warm-Up Area.

·      Additional pit volunteer vehicles should park in spectator parking.

·      No amplification is permitted near pit trucks (too close to the stadium).

Band Check-In

·      Check-in is located at Door 1 in front of the school.

·      Turn in any outstanding registration fees.

·      Notify staff if you plan to leave directly after your performance (this affects bus parking).

·      Students may store their belongings in the cafeteria.

(Note: This is a shared space. Herndon HS is not responsible for your items).

·      Directors will receive a Band Director Badge upon arrival. This gives you access to the Director’s Room throughout the day, located inside Door 7.

·      All marching band students will receive a green wristband for entry/re-entry.

·      Free green wristbands for adult staff (instructors, pit crew, chaperones) will be provided according to band size:

·      Groups 1 & 2: 10 wristbands

·      Groups 3 & 4: 15 wristbands

·      Groups 5 & 6: 20 wristbands

·      Additional adult entries may be purchased at the ticket booth ($12 ages 13+, $10 senior citizen, $6 ages 6–12).

Warm-Ups and Transition to Gate

·      Bands will be assigned a guide and a warm-up area (A, B, C, or D). The warm-up areas are close—there is no room for marching practice. Pits will warm up in a separate location (see map).

·      Pit: Will be guided from warm-up to Band Setup Area outside Door 8 on the right side of school.

·      Band: Will be guided through the school from Door 1 to 8 or around the right side of the building to meet their pit.

·      Stadium Entry: Bands will be guided into the stadium after the performing band exits. They will then be directed to a waiting area on the side of the field while the preceding band performs. Please follow our volunteers’ instructions carefully to ensure smooth transitions.

After Your Performance

Exiting the Stadium

• Guides will lead your band to a water station by Door 8.

·      Pit returns equipment to trucks. Pit trucks may remain parked for 45 minutes after performance, and then must depart as scheduled.

Note: Due to limited space, please respect the scheduled departure time for pit trucks.

·       Bands with buses parked in the front of the building may enter the school through Door 8 after their performance, then exit through Door 1.

·       Band members may re-enter the stadium free of charge after their performance, either in uniform or as a supervised group, through the main gate. Bands must sit together and remain respectful of audience members and performing groups.

Awards Ceremonies

·      There are three award ceremonies: Groups 1/2/3, Groups 4/5, and Group 6. Drum Majors and/or Band Representatives should assemble at the band entrance gate before the last band performs in their section of the event.

Stadium Information and Policies

Bathrooms

·      Located inside the stadium, near concessions, INSIDE the school at Doors 11 & 14 (front), and Door 8 (back).

First Aid

·      The First Aid tent is located outside the stadium near the ticketing booth.

Field Surface

Turf

Water Stations

·      Front of school (Door 13) and back of school (Door 8).

Rain Plan

·      In the event of inclement weather, VMBC, Herndon’s Director of Bands, and the Herndon Showcase Coordinator will contact Directors regarding delays, standstills, indoor performances, or cancellations.

Photography

·      Allowed, but photographers may not enter the press box or cross the sidelines once the performance begins. Judges on the field have priority and must not be blocked. Photographers should remain respectful of others’ views.

Videography

·      VMBC will not be allowing band representatives in the press box for videography.

Spectator Information

Spectator Parking

·      Parking is limited.

·      Enter through the school’s first entrance on Bennett Street.

·      Additional parking available at and behind Herndon United Methodist Church (next to the school) or in the adjoining neighborhood.

Airgrams and 50/50 Raffle

·      Airgrams can be purchased in person with cash or credit card.

·      Airgrams can also be purchased in advance online: https://www.herndonband.org/air-grams

·      50/50 Raffle tickets will be sold at the Airgram table on-site. Cash only, must be 18+ years old to purchase, and must be present to win. Winners will be announced at the beginning of each awards ceremony.

Other Concessions Policies

·      Each Director will be given 2 complimentary coupons for a free meal from our concessions. Please take your coupons to the back door of the concession stand to redeem them.

·      No tailgating, grilling, or food deliveries (Uber Eats, DoorDash, pizza delivery, etc.) are permitted on campus or nearby.

·      Our concessions booth will be open from 10 AM through the end of the event.