Swarm plays marching host

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

The Quitman High School band performs during the Mineola Marching festival Monday morning. The band received top ratings and will compete at the regional marching contest Tuesday in Mt. Pleasant. [See more marching magic.]

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

The Mineola High School band performs an exhibition after hosting their contest Monday evening. They compete at the regional marching contest Tuesday in Mt. Pleasant. [See more marching magic.]

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

The Winnsboro High School band performs during the Mineola Marching festival Monday evening. The band place second overall and will compete at the regional marching contest Tuesday in Mt. Pleasant. [See more marching magic.]

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

Posted Wednesday, October 13, 2021 2:46 am

More than two dozen bands competed at the Mineola Marching Festival held Monday at Meredith Memorial Stadium. The annual event serves as a key fundraiser for the high school band.

The competition began with Grand Saline performing at 9:30 a.m. and went on for nearly 12 hours, including prelims, an exhibition by the TJC Apache band, seven schools vying for trophies in the finals and was capped off by an exhibition by the Sound of the Swarm.

The day of organized chaos helped the ensembles prepare themselves for upcoming UIL competitions and gave local fans of the athletic musical permorance art a chance to see much more than the usual two shows one witnesses most fall Friday nights across America.

A hiccup courtesy of the storms the night before only caused a minor delay as the stadium lights took slightly more coaxing than usual to illuminate the field.

The Winnsboro Red Raider Band advance the the finals and topped all but one of their peers, 4A band North Lamar.

The Mineola High School Sound of the Swarm marching band will begin defense of its two-time state marching title Tuesday in the regional marching contest in Mt. Pleasant. The band performs at 4:15 p.m.

Qualifying bands earning first division ratings advance to the area marching contest Saturday, Oct. 23 at Lindale.

Mineola has earned top honors at three recent marching contests, including Pine Tree on Saturday.

The state contest is Nov. 3 at the Alamodome.

Special Olympics returns in style

Thursday, April 11

After a five-year absence, over 150 athletes from Como-Pickton, Cedar Creek and Upshur and Wood Counties competed for special recognition at a state-sanctioned Special Olympics track and field meet at the Quitman High School track field on Friday, April 5.

Two seeking Ward Three city council position

Thursday, April 11

Only one of the three seats up for election on the Mineola City Council this year is being contested. Crystal Arcand has challenged 2-term incumbent Cassandra Sampson for the Ward Three seat. …

Residents on Hwy. 37 north of Mineola petitioning for center turning lane

Thursday, April 11

Residents who live north of Mineola are petitioning the Texas Dept. of Transportation to extend the center turn lane along Hwy. 37.

Property owners given more time to clean up locations in Quitman

Thursday, April 11

Citizens and commissioners came head-to-head at Thursday night’s Quitman Building and Standards Commission meeting. With the tension in the air almost tangible, the board decided after nearly two hours of deliberation...

Eclipsed!

Thursday, April 11

Two predictions surrounding Monday’s total solar eclipse in East Texas largely failed to come true. The clouds were thin to non-existent during the time of totality around 1:40 p.m., and the expected traffic jams did not materialize.

Symphonic band presents Christmas concert

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Come on over to Mineola’s beautiful Historic Select Theater and hear the Lake Country Symphonic Band’s Christmasy “Everything Christmas” concert.

Concerts are Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. and Tuesday evening, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Mike Holbrook is back in the director’s seat, so it’s sure to be a fun-filled couple of hours.