By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Geneseo Harvest Time Music Festival will kick off a weekend of activities with the 33rd annual Maple leaf Marching Band Classic on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Geneseo High School. The two-day festival concludes Sunday, Sept. 24, with festivities in Geneseo City Park.

The Maple Leaf Marching Band Competition takes center stage from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, with area high school bands competing for top honors.

Public is invited to the competition featuring high school bands from Orion, Sherrard, Morison, Farmington, El Paso-Gridley, Galva, Streator, West Liberty, Dunlap, Grayslake, Quincy, Romeoville and Rock Island.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and students.

Geneseo Middle School Band students will perform the introduction and the Geneseo High School Marching Band (The Sound of Geneseo (TSOG) will perform in exhibition.

The University of Northern Iowa, Panther Marching Band, also will perform in exhibition.

From noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, 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, “Disney Music Magic.”

A talent show of students is from 3 to 4 p.m.

Also on Sept. 24, 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 one year of free groceries form Geneseo Fareway, sponsored by Fareway; GMG Peak Prime Pellett Grill, 5 Burner Bas Griddle, Yeti Tundra 65, Solo Stove Bonfire (sponsored by Geneseo Communications, Geneseo Foundation, B&B Lawn Equipment and Cyclery, and the Clifton Agency American Family Insurance); 70” Samsung TV, Playstation 5 and Beats Headset (sponsored by Vibrant Credit Union, Steve Miller Family Construction Company).

Tickets for raffle items are $10 each, three for $20 and 12 for $60, and are available at the festival and from band and choir members. Raffle Tickets also are available online through GPAC website: geneseoarts.com. Online tickets may be purchased until 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24.

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.