It was “standing room only” on Saturday, October 5, as Newtown High School hosted the 17th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Marching Band Festival, which featured nine competing bands and the 123-member Newtown Marching Band and Guard in exhibition.

Thirty graduating Newtown High School seniors and their parents were saluted after the musicians and color guard performed in their final “Home Show” to a packed and appreciative crowd.

First Selectman Pat Llodra was among the dignitaries who presented awards to the competing bands, and cheered the Nighthawks as they put on a spectacular show called “Anlantida,” which featured a burst of smoke as buildings split apart during the fall of Atlantis.

“Wonderful, just wonderful,” Mrs Llodra said.

Other parents said they “get chills” every time the see the rippling waves made from 20-inch sheets of satin that is run through the stadium field by ten members of the color guard.

This weekend, The NHS Marching Band and Guard will travel to Philadelphia to compete in the US Bands Freedom Cup. The next opportunity to see the Newtown Marching Band and Guard compete locally will be Saturday, October 19, at Shelton High School.

Further information about the band and its season schedule are available on its website, www.newtownband-guard.com/home.html.