If your favorite part of the big game is the halftime show, you’re going to love the Festival of Bands.

It’s a grand slam battle of the bands for the next generation of marching band performers. Twenty-eight high school marching bands from across the Pacific Northwest will go head to head at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 27, in an all-day competition that runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Local bands from Sheldon and Willamette high schools will represent the Eugene area.

The event features two performances by the Oregon Marching Band, including a sneak preview of their new “epic video game theme” halftime show. The Oregon Duck mascot will also make several special appearances throughout the day, bringing his distinctive brand of irreverent humor to the festivities.

Tickets are available at the south gate the day of the event or in advance through the Erb Memorial Union ticket office and online for $15 for general admission, $10 for students, members of the military with ID and seniors 65 or older, and $8.50 when buying five or more tickets. For more information, visit https://omb.uoregon.edu/festival-of-bands/.

This fun, family-friendly event, now in its 37th year, will allow patrons to enjoy the “good seats” at Autzen Stadium for a fraction of the cost of a football ticket. The festival is organized and hosted by the Oregon Marching Band and is split into preliminary and finals competitions.