58th Melody Round-up Parade set for Oct. 18

The 58th annual Hastings College Melody Round-up Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.

The parade will include marching bands, floats by Hastings College organizations, antique and classic cars, and the 2008 Hastings College Homecoming royalty. The color guard will be provided by Cub Scout Pack 192.

The parade will begin at the intersection of Fourth Street and Colorado Avenue, then proceed west on Fourth Street to Lincoln Avenue; south on Lincoln Avenue to Second Street; and east on Second Street to Kansas Avenue.

In addition to the Hastings College marching band, 21 high school and junior high school bands will participate in the parade. They include Adams Central High School, Blue Hill High School, Clay Center Senior High School, Deshler High School, Doniphan-Trumbull Junior High School, Doniphan-Trumbull High School, Exeter-Milligan Junior High School, Harvard High School, Hastings St. Cecilia High School, Shickley High School, Columbus Scotus Central Catholic High School, Centura High School, Maxwell High School, Sandy Creek High School, Sutherland Junior/Senior High School, Wood River High School, Greeley-Wolbach High School, Hampton Junior/Senior High School, Litchfield Public School, Shelby High School and Stuart High School.

During the parade, bands will be evaluated by judges and awarded divisional ratings. Awards will be presented for Outstanding Drum Major (chosen from among all bands), Outstanding Auxiliary/Flag Corps (in three classes) and Outstanding Band (in three classes). Winners will receive awards during a special presentation at 11:30 a.m. at Dutton-Lainson Plaza, Second Street and St. Joseph Avenue.

Judges for the marching band competition are Jon Cole of Omaha and Dale Duensing of Hastings.

Corporate sponsors for the parade include Five Points Bank of Hastings, Heritage Bank of Hastings, Idea Bank Marketing, Moore Music Co., Dutton-Lainson Co., Big G-Ace Hardware and Hastings Business Improvement District.