Despite torrential rains, gusting winds and hail Saturday, Logan County High School’s “Festival of Bands” marched on to overcome nature’s fury.

On three separate occasions hundreds of spectators ran for the open gym to escape the unescapable. Although most were equipped with rain ponchos and umbrellas, they offered little protection from the monsoon type weather that descended upon the school.

But as tents and tarps, paper plates and cups blew about, visiting bands as well as LCHS didn’t miss a beat performing in the mud and the muck proving their tenacity and dedication to the “show.”

“Despite the weather going from clear and warm to sudden down pours, the show really ran well. All 13 bands, including ourselves, marched in the rain. Some got lucky and had less than others, but overall everything worked out. Memories were created on Saturday,” said LCHS Band Director Allen Kennedy adding, “The students and boosters really displayed control and kept the show running. It wouldn’t have been a success without such committed boosters or students. At the end of the night, when I was cold and wet, I was still very proud to be the LCHS Director of Bands.”

This was LCHS’s 12th year for the “Festival of Bands” and a new tradition began honoring a person who has been supportive and dedicated to the band program with an award called the “Marching Milestone”.

This year’s award went to Auburn Band Director Mandy Beasley who has been an intricate constituent of music education in Logan County. “I was thrilled to give the award to my former band director, Mandy Beasley,” said Kennedy who is an alumni of Logan County High School.