On Saturday, September 13th, Tyler Consolidated High School hosted the 53rd Annual West Virginia Oil and Gas Festival Marching Band Contest at Knights Stadium.

Sixteen high school bands from across the state competed in both a parade and a field show. Bands were rated in the categories of field show, percussion, auxiliary, and field commander, receiving gold, silver, or bronze ratings based on the quality of their performances.

Parkersburg South High School won the “Grand Champion” title for both the parade and the field show, earning the highest total points in both competitions. They were followed by Brooke and George Washington High Schools in the field show competition, respectively. This marks the second consecutive year that Parkersburg South has won both grand champion titles.

Bands that receive a gold rating (90-100 points) from all three judges in music, marching, and general effect are named “Honor Bands.” This year, Parkersburg South was the only band to score above 90 from all three judges in these categories, earning the “Honor Band” status for both the parade and field show.

The following bands competed at this annual event: Magnolia, Cameron, Wirt County, Doddridge County, Ritchie County, Petersburg, St. Marys, Brooke, Roane County, Williamstown, Ripley, St. Albans, Robert C. Byrd, George Washington, Parkersburg South, and Lewis County. Tyler Consolidated performed in exhibition.