By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Geneseo High School band and choir students from left, Violet Runty, Nina Schmedding and Anna Davis are promoting the prizes to be awarded in the raffle drawings at the Harvest Time Music Festival, Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21. First place prize is one year of free groceries from Geneseo Dollar Fresh. Additional prizes in drawings are listed in this story. Photo by Claudia Loucks
The Geneseo Harvest Time Music Festival will kick off a weekend of activities with the 35th annual Maple leaf Marching Band Classic on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Geneseo High School.Bob Reade Football Stadium.
The two-day festival concludes Sunday, Sept. 21, with festivities in Geneseo City Park.
The Maple Leaf Marching Band Competition takes center stage from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, with area high school bands competing for top honors.
Public is invited to the competition featuring high school bands from Sherrard High School, Streator Township High School, United Township High School, Galva High School, Minooka Community High School, Macomb High School, Rock Falls High School, Western Dubuque High School, Bettendorf High School, Rockridge High School and Rochelle Township High School.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and students.
Geneseo Middle School Band students will perform the introduction and The Sound of Geneseo Marching Band (TSOG) will perform in exhibition. Western Illinois University musicians will perform at the conclusion of the evening.
On n Sunday, Sept. 21, in Geneseo City Park, or at the high school if it rains, activities will include pork chop sandwiches and concessions, available from noon to 5 p.m., with karaoke and music from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m.
The seventh-and eighth-grade choirs will perform at 1 p.m., with high school choirs at 2 p.m. Choirs representing grades 4-12 will present the grand finale at 4:30 p.m., with songs connected to this year’s theme, “Seasons.”
A talent show of students is from 3 to 4 p.m.
Also on Sept. 21, a silent auction will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. with winners announced at 4 p.m.
Raffle drawings will begin at 4 p.m. for large raffle items and conclude with smaller raffle items.
Prizes include a first-place prize of one year of free groceries form Geneseo Dollar Fresh, second prize is a 4-Day, 3-Night All-Inclusive Getaway Vacation to Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells, including gas and gift cards, a $2500 value - sponsored by the local businesses in Geneseo. Third prize is a Geneseo package – one year membership to the Geneseo Park District including the swimming pool, five hours of computer repair from Wolfe Computer and Console Repair, free piano tuning from Misfeldt Instrument Repair, gift cards to Sweet Marie’s, Caffeine & Carbs, Reap & Sow Nutrition, Pegasus Fine Gifts, Geneseo Brewing Company, Habaneros, and Anthology - $1,600 value – sponsored by Wolfe Computer and Console Repair, Misfeldt Instrument Repair and Geneseo local businesses.
Tickets for raffle items are $10 each, five for $40, and are available at the festival and from band and choir members. Raffle tickets also are available to purchase online through the GPAC website: geneseoarts.com. Online tickets may be purchased until 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21.
The annual two-day Harvest Time Music Festival is sponsored by Geneseo Performing Arts Council (GPAC) and proceeds benefit Geneseo band, choir and drama students.