Valleyfest XXXVIII: What You Need To Know About The Premier High School Marching Band Show

WEST DES MOINES, IA -- High school marching bands from throughout Iowa and surrounding states will be in West Des Moines Saturday, Oct. 7, for the 38th annual Valley Marchmasters' Valleyfest and Showdown. Daytime and evening sessions at Valley Stadium each will feature performances from two dozen bands in multiple classes, with awards presentations in both groups.

The Valley Marchmasters will conclude the program with an exhibition performance.

Valleyfest XXXVIII begins at 7:30 a.m. with 1A schools and progresses through the day with larger class band programs performing. The final daytime band performance is slated for 2 p.m., with awards to follow at 2:25 p.m. Des Moines metro-area bands participating in the daytime Valleyfest include Carlisle, ADM, North Polk, Saydel, Bondurant-Farrar, Dallas Center-Grimes, Indianola, Lincoln, Norwalk, Roosevelt, Urbandale, Johnston and Southeast Polk.

Showdown XXXVIII follows with competition performances from 3:40 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. and the Marchmasters taking the field in exhibition at 10:30 p.m. Final awards will be presented at 10:45 p.m. Showdown performers from the metro area include North Polk, Urbandale, Dallas Center-Grimes, Saydel, Johnston, Dowling Catholic, Ankeny Centennial, Ankeny and Waukee.

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Valley's marching bands rely on an army of volunteers to make Valleyfest a success and an estimated 470 people are needed for Saturday's program with tasks including parking, crowd control and concessions.

Tickets will be available at the ticketing silos located outside the west entrance of Valley Stadium. Cash or credit card are accepted and there will be an ATM on site. Prices are $15 for day and evening or $10 for one session, with a $2 senior discount (55 and older); $4 for students K-12.

If you go:

• Arrive early: Plan on at least 40 minutes to park, get tickets, and get seats.
• Parking: Eight entrance areas can be found in a map online, along with designated handicap areas and spectator drop-off locations.
• Programs: Available for $3 on site.
• Concessions: Valley Band Boosters will operate two concession stands throughout the event. Commemorative apparel also will be available.
• Results: Will be posted on the Valleyfest page of the Valley Bands website.

Photo via Pixabay