The 71st Annual Arcadia Festival of Bands - Saturday, November 23rd, 2024

The 71st Annual Arcadia Festival of Bands is on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024! Join us for a day filled with amazing music performances at Duarte Road, east of Holly Avenue.

71st Annual Arcadia Festival of Bands – Theme: Behind the Scenes

Arcadia, CA – The Arcadia Festival of Bands has grown to be one of the premiere band reviews in Southern California and is the longest-running event of its kind in the whole state. This sustained success is due to the continued support provided by the City of Arcadia, the Fire and Police Departments, the Arcadia Unified School District, and local businesses. The parade simply would not happen without their cooperation.

The all-day event consists of the Band Review starting at 9 a.m. on Duarte Road, east of Holly Avenue, with the Dignitary Parade leading off at 8:40 a.m. The Percussion Festival starts at 11:40 a.m. at Salter Stadium at Arcadia High School followed by the Band Review Awards Ceremony at 2:00 p.m.

The evening field tournament is the 6A Division Championship for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Currently scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. at Citrus College in Glendora, CA followed by the Awards Ceremony at 8:00 p.m.

"The collaboration and teamwork that happens behind the scenes to make the Festival of Bands a reality exemplifies this community at its best," said Kevin Sherrill, Band and Percussion Director at Arcadia High School. "Every person involved plays a crucial role in bringing out the best in our students and these amazing bands.”

Our 2024 Grand Marshals are Bruce and Elizabeth Renfrew. Throughout the years, Arcadia residents Bruce and Elizabeth have received great satisfaction from being involved at all levels of their children’s lives, watching them grow and having the opportunity to make wonderful friends and develop lifelong relationships. All three of their sons were in the Middle School Band and in the High School Marching Band for all four years. Bruce and Elizabeth have volunteered at their children’s schools, Boy Scouts of America, church, and the Little League, among other organizations.

Bruce and Elizabeth have always gone the extra mile to support the Arcadia Music Family. Starting more than two decades ago, Elizabeth was making sure middle school band members were dressed in white shoes, clean uniforms, and plumes were in place. In 2006, she took on the task of finding homes for over one hundred students from the Australian Southern Stars Marching Band when they came to America to march in the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade. From 2001 until 2023 when she passed the baton to a new greeter, she was the first AFOB representative visiting bands usually encountered on the mornings of past parades. Bruce got his start at the high school, over two decades ago, parking visiting buses and equipment trucks for the Festival of Bands. During that time, he spent six years behind the wheel of the band’s Pit Truck. Bruce has also found time to be a Music Camp chaperone, the event planner of the AFOB Director’s Dinner, and a Merchandise Chairperson -- procuring band jackets for parents.

Fast forward to today, Bruce and Elizabeth’s three sons are now grown adults who are all successful in their fields. David is a professor of Math at NYSU in Binghamton, NY; Brian is an Engineer at Boeing in Everett, Washington; and Patrick is a Civil Engineer in Oregon at the Bureau of Land Management where he lives with his wife Christine and two teenage sons. It is our honor to share this day with Bruce and Elizabeth Renfrew, an amazing team who give so much back to the community they call home.

Arcadia Music Club supporting the Music Program at Arcadia High School

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