The Newtown High School Nighthawks Marching Band & Guard will host the 19th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Music Festival Saturday, October 10, at the high school’s Blue & Gold Stadium.

Gates open at 5 pm and the show begins at 6 pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for students and seniors. Admission is free for children under 5 years old. The event is the largest fundraiser for the NHS Marching Band & Guard program.

The NHS “Home Show” will feature eight Connecticut high school marching bands vying for top scores in the USBands competition. The Nighthawks will perform an exhibition of their award-winning show “Pharoah’s Legacy.”

A special Snack Shack menu will feature perennial favorites, like chili in a bread bowl and pulled pork sandwiches. Vegetarian and gluten-free items will also be available for purchase. A variety of bake sale treats will also be offered.

A ceremony honoring the Nighthawks’ 30 graduating seniors will follow the competition.

This year’s band and guard seniors are Molly Begg, pit; James Buck, drumline; Nicholas Chaloux, trombone; Sarah Coleman, color guard captain; James Craig, alto saxophone; Tina DeMaio, mellophone; Talyn Estores, pit; Camryn Gaudett, color guard captain; Amanda Glaser, color guard captain; Mimi Hawke, tenor saxophone; Anneliese Hermes, flute; Raeleigh Joyce, tuba; Peter Kohlsaat, trumpet; Lucas LaDestro, trombone; Sarah Lyon, brass captain, trombone; Timothy Mammen, euphonium; Madeline Marlin, clarinet; Julia Radko, woodwind captain, flute; Marie Randle, clarinet; Nick Randle, drum major; Conrad Reilly, trumpet; Robin Rockwell, clarinet; Becky Romano, pit; Cole Siksay, trumpet; Matt Sodoski, baritone saxophone; Sarah Spillane, drum major; Aimee Talbot, pit; Daniel Toby, trumpet; Rachel Williams, drum major; and Liz Wolf, color guard captain.