E.B.F.H.S. Marching Band Wins at Valleyfest! 21st Year in a Row!

E.B.F.H.S. Marching Band Wins at Valleyfest

The Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont Marching Band had a very exciting day Saturday as the band placed 1st in the Valleyfest and Showdown Competitions in West Des Moines. EBF won the Valleyfest 2A competition with a score of 61, 7 points ahead of the nearest competitor. Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont also won the Outstanding Marching and Maneuvering, Hornline, Drumline, Color Guard, and Soloist of the Day Awards. Delanee Van Zante was chosen as the Outstanding Soloist in class 2A. Maggie Voyles was selected as the Outstanding Marcher in the EBF Marching Band.

In the evening contest, the “Showdown” of bands, the E.B.F.H.S. Marching Band placed 1st in class C with a score of 55.9 This is the 21st consecutive year that the band has placed 1st at the “Showdown” Contest. The band also won the Outstanding Drumline, Marching, Hornline, Color Guard, and Soloist trophies. Delanee Van Zante was once again honored with the Outstanding Soloist Trophy for her alto sax solos.

The E.B.F.H.S. Band has 67 members this year. The band is directed by Joe Overton, assistant director Dezirae Fairchild, and color guard instructor Paige VerSteegh. The field commanders are Claire Jager and Grace Manternach. The soloists for this year’s show are Delanee Van Zante, Claire Jager, Bridget DeWitt, Adlynn Eveland, Teri Lane, and Tayler Jones.

This Saturday, the E.B.F.H.S. Marching Band will compete at the State Marching Band Contest in Pella and then travel to Ankeny that evening to defend their title at the Mid-Iowa Band Championships. The band performs at 11:15 in State competition where they have earned a Division I rating for the last 29 years in a row. In the evening Mid-Iowa Band Championships competition, the band performs at 5:30 where they have placed 1st 18 times in the last 20 years.