The Newtown Marching Band & Guard will honor all 32 of its graduating seniors this Saturday, October 18, when the school hosts the 18th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Music Festival at the high school’s Blue & Gold Stadium.

Featuring Newtown’s performance of its show “Arachne,” the Grasso Festival also offers seven Connecticut high school marching bands vying for top scores in the Musical Arts Conference (MAC) competition.

The NHS “Home Show” will begin at 6 pm, with gates opening at 5 pm.

The event is a fundraiser for the entire NHS Marching Band & Guard program, and the parents put in weeks of preparation to ensure a smooth event.

Chicken Caesar salad wraps will join the annual favorites of pulled pork and chili bowls for sale, along with baked goods and other treats during the event.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and free for children under 5 years old.

Many of the Newtown seniors, who will be performing at the Grasso Festival for the last time, began their journey with NHS Band Director Kurt Eckhardt as Newtown Middle School eighth graders, making this event their fifth and final appearance.

“This is always a bittersweet evening for me,” Mr Eckhardt said.

Newtown’s Marching Band & Guard seniors are Aimee Alexander, brass captain, trumpet; Maryyam Ali, flute; Seth Barrett, tuba; Nina Bonvini, color guard; Sarah Braga, color guard; Emily Brinkmann, color guard; Rachel Buzzi, clarinet; Makenzie Casey, color guard; Courtney Datin, color guard; Aileen Decker, color guard; Liam Decker, mellophone; Lauren Engels, color guard; Caitlin Filiato, tuba; Rachael Fuchs, drum major; Kayleigh Granville, color guard; Greg Grasso, trombone; Christopher Hartley, tenor sax; Humza Hashmi, drum major; Emma Hungaski, drum major; Caitlin Jones, color guard captain; Andrew King, flute; Catherine Menousek, pit; Kelsea Morshuk-Allen, color guard captain; Bridget O’Donnell, color guard; Trevor Palmer, drumline; Gabriella Perpignand, flute; Rory Phillips, drumline; Richie Sadlon, woodwind captain and tenor sax; Sierra Toomey, trombone; Justin Tran, clarinet; Noelle Veillette, pit; and Brittany Violet, color guard.