Alexandria, Minnesota

Always the last Sunday
in June

FAVORITE THINGS
Vikingland Band Festival develops a wealth of traditions
It's easy to notice the wonderful pageantry of the marching bands parading down Broadway. But there are equally wonderful traditions that have developed around the edges of the Vikingland Band Festival. We've come up with a few of our favorites, and we invite you to tell us about YOUR favorites.

How many of these things can you catch this year?

• Park Center's annual pre-parade potluck

• Chairs on Broadway at 6 PM Friday

• Drum majors saluting their competitors at parade's end

• The awards ceremony

• Pep talks at the starting line

• Mankato's morning rehearsal

• Getting to be a People's Choice judge

• Locals getting emotional seeing the Alexandria band lead the parade

• Bertha-Hewitt director Ken Nelson marching with his band all 23 years

• Past Grand Marshals reminiscing at the reviewing stand

Submit your favorites
Do you have a favorite moment from the Vikingland Band Festival? We'd love to hear your stories. Simply contact Festival Coordinator Debbi Rydberg by email or call the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-235-9441 or 320-763-3161.

We're gathering these stories now to help celebrate the Festival's upcoming 25th Anniversary.