Thirteen visiting bands from Iowa and Illinois will perform in the music department’s largest annual fundraiser.
West Liberty High School (WLHS) will host the 5th Annual Comet Classic Marching Band Competition on Saturday, Oct. 10, bringing 13 visiting high school bands from across southeast Iowa and western Illinois to compete at the West Liberty Foods Athletic Complex.
Over 1,000 spectators and performers are expected to visit West Liberty for the daylong event, which serves as the WLHS Music Department’s primary annual fundraiser.
Event Details & Schedule
Location: Performances will take place at the West Liberty Foods Athletic Complex. Warm-ups will take place at Memorial Field on Elm Street.
Schedule:
10:30 a.m. – Bands arrive on campus
11:00 a.m. – Concession stand opens.
11:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Competition performances.
2:20 p.m. – Special exhibition performance by the WLHS Comet Marching Band
(following the judges' lunch break).
Admission: $12 for adults | $7 for students and senior citizens.
Food & Parking Information
Concessions: Open from 11:00 a.m. through the close of the event. Menu items include
Walking Tacos, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Turkey BLT Wraps, Macaroni and Cheese, Apples & Dip,
and more.
Community Parking Notice: To help manage event traffic and accommodate out-of-town
guests, overflow parking will be available at Las Flamas and First Church United. Local
residents are advised to expect increased traffic along Elm Street throughout the day.
Supporting Music Education & Volunteer Opportunities
The Comet Classic is crucial to maintaining accessible music education in West Liberty. Profits directly cover the marching band’s $10,000 annual operating budget, allowing every WLHS student to participate without paying a participation fee. Throughout the day, WLHS band students will develop servant leadership skills by managing event roles ranging from traffic control and concessions to custodial support.
Adult Volunteers Needed:
Adult community volunteers are still needed to ensure a successful event. All volunteers receive free admission for the entire day of performances.
To sign up as a volunteer, please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA4AA23A2F9C16-66204911-comet or contact Volunteer Coordinator Briana Simon at bsimon@wl.k12.ia.us.
About the West Liberty High School Music Department
The West Liberty High School Music Department provides comprehensive music education and performance opportunities to students across the district. Through community support and student leadership, the department maintains fully inclusive programs free of student participation fees.