Vikingland Band Festival

06/29/2026

Wow! The morning rain cleared, and the biggest lineup of bands since 2019 delivered an unforgettable afternoon of performances at the 42nd Annual Vikingland Band Festival. The 728 Cadets rose to the top with a score of 90.0 — the highest champion score since 2019 — for their show, "Nightmare," earning the Class 4A Champion title and claiming their seventh Grand Champion title. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg captured its third People's Choice award with its program, "Fuego!"

Litchfield H.S. placed second overall with an 89.3 and earned the Class 3A Champion title. Waconia scored 89.25, placing second in Class 4A and third overall. Rounding out the top 5 bands were Buffalo with 83.5 and Cotter with 82.6.

Cotter earned the Class Champion title for 1A, and Albany earned the Class Champion title for 2A. Congratulations to all of the bands on their tremendous performances!

>> Link in comments has complete 2026 results

06/28/2026

✅ Morning rain cleared out
✅ Bands arriving
✅ We’re ready for a parade!

See you on Broadway at 1:30pm. Gather in the four marked performance zones along the 1-mile route! (Near 6th, 8th, 10th and 14th.)

06/28/2026

🎺 BLEACHER SEATING SOLD OUT! 🥁

The excitement is building for Sunday's Vikingland Band Festival, and the reserved bleacher seating in the 6th Avenue judging zone is now completely sold out!

Still hoping to grab a seat? There may be one last opportunity.

Occasionally, sponsors who have reserved tickets are unable to attend, resulting in a small number of unused seats. If you'd like to sit in the 6th Avenue East Side bleachers, check with the bleacher attendant (look for the neon green shirt) before parade time. If any seats become available, they may be offered for sale shortly before the parade begins.

And don't forget — there is plenty of free viewing space along the entire one-mile parade route! No ticket is required to enjoy the competition and festivities.

The bleacher seating options are simply a convenient way to accommodate more spectators in the judging area while helping create the exciting stadium-like atmosphere that makes performing at Vikingland so special for the students.

🕜 Parade begins at 1:30 PM Sunday. We can't wait to welcome everyone for a fantastic day of music, marching, and community celebration! 🎶✨

Alexandria Bands Vikingland Band Festival Explore Alexandria MN

06/27/2026

🎺 PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING INFO 🥁

One of the most anticipated traditions of the Vikingland Band Festival is the People's Choice Award, where spectators have the opportunity to recognize the band that impressed them most during the parade.

The spirit of this award is simple: vote for the band that truly moved you. Maybe it was the music, the visual presentation, the energy, the show theme, or the overall performance that captured your attention. Year after year, audience members have embraced the tradition of looking beyond hometown loyalties and celebrating the performance they enjoyed most.

To give every band an equal opportunity to be considered, voting does not open until all competing bands have completed their performances. We encourage spectators to watch the entire parade, enjoy the variety of performances, and then cast a vote based on what they experienced along the route.

The People's Choice Award reflects the reaction of those who experienced the parade firsthand.

On parade day, look for People's Choice QR code signs posted throughout the parade route, including on light poles and near trash receptacles. Scan the code to access the ballot and cast your vote.

⏰ Voting opens when the final band exits the judging zone.
⏰ Votes submitted before that time will not be counted.
⏰ Voting remains open for approximately 20 minutes.
📱 One vote per device.

The People's Choice Award is a chance for those in attendance to applaud the hard work, dedication, and talent of these outstanding student performers.

🎶 See you in Alexandria on Sunday, June 28! Parade begins at 1:30 PM.

Alexandria Bands Vikingland Band Festival Explore Alexandria MN

06/27/2026

🥁 JUDGING PRIMER! 🎺

Answers to your burning questions about the judging process ahead of the 2026 Vikingland Band Festival parade marching championship on Sunday, June 28.

(Also watch for a separate post about People's Choice Voting, where YOU can cast a vote for your overall favorite band!)

⭐ HOW ARE BANDS JUDGED?

Judges award points in six captions, with each judge focused on evaluating a specific aspect of the performance. While spectators typically enjoy the overall impact of a band, judges take a closer look at individual components:

• Music Performance
• Music Effect
• Visual Performance
• Visual Effect
• Percussion
• Color Guard

Judges evaluate both EXCELLENCE and CONTENT. Excellence measures how well students perform, while content considers the variety and difficulty of what they are asked to do. Simply put, the more you can do—and still do it well—the greater the potential achievement.

All bands are judged as part of one overall contest, regardless of class. In fact, the festival's Grand Champion has come from every class throughout the event's history. Outstanding performances can come from bands of any size.

⭐ HOW ARE THE CLASSES (A, AA, AAA, AAAA) DETERMINED?

Classes are not intended to measure quality. Rather, they are designed to group bands of similar size and resources, helping to level the competitive field while recognizing that excellence can be achieved at every level.

In the early years of the festival, classes were determined solely by school enrollment. Since 2009, a formula has been used that considers both school size and band size:

• School Size = 2/3 of the formula
• Band Size = 1/3 of the formula

The formula was developed and refined with input from band directors, judges, and parade organizers and has been used each year since its introduction in 2009.

Want to see how the formula works? We'll post a link in the comments to an archived article with examples and additional details.

See you in Alexandria on Sunday! Parade time is 1:30PM.

Alexandria Bands Vikingland Band Festival Explore Alexandria MN

06/26/2026

🎉 Thank You, Sponsors! 🎉

The Vikingland Band Festival simply wouldn't be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors.

From prize money and travel stipends for participating bands to the student scholarship program and the many expenses involved in producing a first-class community event, your generosity helps make it all happen.

More than 50 businesses, organizations, and community partners have joined together to support this year's festival, helping us continue a tradition that has brought outstanding marching bands and thousands of spectators to Alexandria for more than four decades.

Please join us in thanking these sponsors for their commitment to music, education, and community spirit. Their support keeps this treasured event strong and thriving for future generations.

👏 Thank you for investing in the Vikingland Band Festival and the students who make it so special! 🎶🥁🎺

06/26/2026

FREE FESTIVAL PROGRAMS! 🎺🥁

Pick up your complimentary 2026 Vikingland Band Festival program and get the details on Minnesota's summer parade marching championship!

Inside you'll find:
✅ Parade order and lineup
✅ Band staff, show themes and repertoire
✅ Feature article about this year's Grand Marshal
✅ Roster of judges and committee members
✅ Recognition of the sponsors who help make this event possible

Programs will be available:
• From volunteers handing them out before the parade
• In program bins located throughout the four performance zones
• Online with a digital edition (link in comments)

The parade steps off at 1:30 PM on Sunday, June 28, traveling along Broadway through downtown Alexandria from 4th Avenue to 15th Avenue.

Grab a program, find your favorite viewing spot, and enjoy an afternoon of outstanding music, precision marching, colorful pageantry, and family-friendly entertainment!

Learn more at VikinglandBandFestival.com

Alexandria Bands Explore Alexandria MN

06/25/2026

🥁 PARADE ORDER FOR SUNDAY! 🎺

The lineup is set for the 2026 Vikingland Band Festival on Sunday, June 28 at 1:30 PM!

Check out the order of appearance for the 19 marching units that will take to Broadway in Alexandria, competing for Class Champion and Grand Champion honors at Minnesota's summer parade marching championship.

From the first step-off to the final performance, expect outstanding music, precision marching, colorful pageantry, and plenty of excitement as bands wrap up their competitive season.

Whether you're a longtime marching band fan or simply looking for a fun summer afternoon, this is an event you won't want to miss. Be sure to gather in one of the four performance zones where every band will play.

🎟 A limited number of tickets remain in our largest bleacher section within the judging performance zone.

Learn more at VikinglandBandFestival.com

Alexandria Bands Explore Alexandria MN

06/24/2026

🌭🍔 COME HUNGRY TO THE VIKINGLAND BAND FESTIVAL! 🍿🎂

The marching bands aren't the only thing bringing energy and excitement to downtown Alexandria on June 28!

Adding to the festive atmosphere, a variety of food trucks and vendors will be stationed along the parade route, serving up everything from smoked BBQ and smash burgers to kettle corn, pretzels, mini doughnuts and sweet treats.

📍 Here's where you'll find them:

• 7th Ave (West Side) — Xtreme Cuisine
Philly fries, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches, cheese curds

• Between 7th & 8th Ave (East Side, US Bank Lot) — Doug's Kettle Korn
Fresh-popped kettle corn

• 8th Ave (East Side) — Smokin' Brews & 'Ques
Smoked brisket, pulled pork, mac & cheese and more

• 10th Ave (East Side, Bell Bank Lot) — Darn Good
Smash burgers, hot dogs, soft pretzels, mini doughnuts and beverages

• 10th Ave (East Side, Bell Bank Lot) — Nothing Bundt Cakes
Individual bundt cakes in a variety of delicious flavors

• 14th Ave (East Side, Community Vacuum & Sewing Center Lot) — Axe Kitchen
Pulled pork, chicken and brisket sandwiches, loaded nachos, smash burgers, grilled cheese and more

🎺 Grab your favorite parade-viewing spot, enjoy the music, and treat yourself to some fantastic festival food while you watch nearly 1,500 performers march through downtown Alexandria!

📅 Sunday, June 28, 2026
🕜 Parade begins at 1:30 PM, Vendors open by 11:00 AM



Doug's Kettle Korn Smokin' Brews & 'Ques Nothing Bundt Cakes Xstream Cuisine

06/24/2026

We are grateful to the Alexandria Police Department for their excellent work managing traffic on parade day.

Drivers:  please use extra caution near 6th, 8th, and 14th Avenues where bleachers and tent seating will be set up early Sunday morning. 

🎺 Vikingland Band Festival Parade – Traffic Info 🎺

The Vikingland Band Festival is almost here — a beloved Alexandria tradition! 🎷🥁

🚧 Please plan ahead for traffic changes on Sunday, June 28:
📍 Broadway St. will be CLOSED from 3rd Ave to 18th Ave between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM for the band parade.
➡️ Detour routes: Use Fillmore St and Nokomis St to get around the parade route.

Thanks for your patience as we keep the route clear for the amazing marching bands performing in this year’s celebration! 🎶