'Marching Madness': Ridge HS Welcomes 13 NJ Bands For Annual Competition Oct. 21

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — More than a dozen high school marching bands from around New Jersey will showcase their best performances in Basking Ridge this Saturday, as Ridge Marching Band gets set for its annual "Marching Madness" home competition.

This annual event (held at Lee Field) features 13 competitors, and also performances from both the William Annin Middle School Band and the Ridge Marching Band. Competition begins at 3 p.m., and awards begin at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Ridge High School's Lee Field (behind the high school, 268 S. Finley Avenue).

Tickets are $12 for adults, and $8 for students and seniors. Children under 5 will be admitted for free. Purchase tickets at admissions, located at the Lee Field entrance. There is no charge for parking. Food and drinks will be available at the concession stand.

The band is also looking for volunteers to help the day run smoothly.

Band director Clay Beyert said the home competition is always one of the best days of the season, and that it is "always a privilege" to host some of New Jersey's best marching bands.

The Ridge Marching Band students have been doing a fantastic job all season and have worked incredibly hard to prepare an exciting show that will close the evening's festivities," Beyert said. "We hope to see the Basking Ridge community out in full force to support not only our band students, but all of the bands in attendance as they show what makes marching band such a great activity."

Marching Madness begins with the middle school band performing the National Anthem at 2:50 p.m., and the competition begins at 3 p.m.

Marching Madness is a US Bands-sanctioned "Gold Showcase," and will be a judged event. The bands in competition this year, in order of appearance, are:

• Weehawken High School (Weehawken)
• Delaware Valley Regional High School (Frenchtown)
• North Bergen High School (North Bergen)
• Warren Hills Regional High School (Washington)
• Passaic Valley Regional High School (Little Falls)
• Northern Highlands Regional High School (Allendale)
• Somerville High School (Somerville)
• Hunterdon Central Regional High School (Flemington)
• Glen Ridge High School (Glen Ridge)
• Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan (Old Tappan)
• New Providence High School (New Providence)
• Hillsborough High School (Hillsborough)
• Pequannock Township High School (Pompton Plains)

After all the visiting bands perform, Ridge Marching Band is slated to perform its 2023 show "Night Terror" at 6:45 p.m. as the judges tabulate scores. The awards ceremony will begin at 7:15 p.m.

Ridge Marching Band recently placed 3rd out of of 12 bands in their category at the Ludwig Musser Band Competition, held at MetLife Stadium.

Ridge High School Band Association Co-President Jessica Flores credited the students, school administrators, front-line workers, volunteers, and business sponsors involved with the band for their support, commitment, and partnership.

“This event is not just another high school band performance; it is a celebration of the talent and dedication that these young musicians pour into their craft," she said. "With 14 bands converging on Ridge High School’s field, the air will be filled with the enchanting melodies and powerful rhythms of a diverse array of music genres. It will be an unforgettable event that is sure to captivate the hearts of band enthusiasts and draw crowds of eager spectators."