Schools to unite for band show

FINDLAY — The school bands of Hancock County are coming together to perform at the Hancock County Fair – and this year, they're truly doing it together. Each year, the county's high school bands and the University of Findlay band join for a combined show at the fair. The free event is "something that a lot of fairgoers look forward to," said John Livingston, the fair superintendent overseeing the event. Each band will put on a 10- to 12-minute performance. "One thing a little different this year is that the bands are all going to march onto the track at the beginning of the show as one unit," Livingston said. This unity is meant to go along with the theme of the show, he said. "We're celebrating America 250," he said. The bands will play the national anthem together, directed by Adam Miller, the new UF band director. Livingston noted that Arlington, Cory-Rawson, McComb and Findlay high schools all also have new band directors this year. These new directors will be welcomed at the show. Other participating bands include Arcadia, Liberty-Benton, Riverdale, Van Buren and Vanlue high schools. Following the national anthem, each band will be introduced and given its own segment. Livingston said each band can come up with its own theme – so they may or may not connect to the overall America 250 theme. "The fair is all about showcasing our youth. … Here, we're showcasing their musical talents," Livingston said. Some families, like Livingston's, may have a personal connection to this show that spans the generations. Livingston marched in the fair show 50 years ago, while a student at Riverdale, where he played bass drum. All five of his children also marched in the fair. His granddaughter, an eighth-grader, also plays the drum and plans to become involved in the high school band. Livingston said the music performed at this show varies from year to year but "it's just always good." He is already thinking about next year's show, which will coincide with the 175th anniversary of the Hancock County Fair. The show will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the South Grandstands. Admission is free.