The PRIDE BAND will host the 53rd annual OZARKO Marching Band Festival on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Plaster Sports Complex.  The event will begin at 9:00am. Twenty-five local and regional high school bands will be participating in the event. The Pride Marching Band will perform in exhibition at 4:30pm, following preliminary competition.  Finals competition will begin at 5:30pm.  The awards ceremony for finals competition will be at 10:30pm.

The festival will bring approximately 2,500 high school bandsmen and an additional 5,000 spectators to campus.

The following parking lots will be utilized for school bus and equipment truck parking: #4, #18, #19, #20, and #25.  Signs will be posted at the lot entrances on Friday, October 10 alerting individuals using those lots of the anticipated congestion. Festival goers are encouraged to park in Bear Park South, or lots #22 and #24 south of Grand Street.

Spectators may purchase adult tickets for $12, student and senior citizens for $8 at the ticket office on the day of the event.  Children 5 years and younger are admitted free with an adult.

The performance schedule may be found online at www.missouristate.edu/band.

For more information, contact the University Band office at 417-836-5454 (or email: bands@missouristate.edu).