For the second consecutive year, the Pella Marching Dutch were the highest scoring Iowa band at the annual Valleyfest Showdown. The elite showcase took place Saturday evening, and Pella scored 89.1 points, second only to Bellevue West of Nebraska. The Marching Dutch won Class B, outscoring the next closest band by nearly 17 points (89.1), and their total was the most among all Iowa bands competing, regardless of class size. Pella won all but one caption award as well:

Outstanding Music – Pella
Outstanding Visual – Pella
Percussion – Pella
Colorguard – Pella
Soloist – Pella Bari Sax

Pella will perform for the final time at a football game this fall on Friday vs. Bondurant-Farrar, before hosting the Iowa High School Music Association contest on Saturday and wrapping up at the Mid Iowa Band Championships in Ankeny.

Other area bands competed during the traditional day show at Valleyfest. Indianola placed 9th in a deep field of large schools, with their color guard earning 2nd and drum majors placing 5th. The Pride of Indianola finish the season Saturday at the IHSMA State Contest and the Waukee Warrior Invitational.

Knoxville participated in the day portion of the competition, placing 8th in their class as well. The Panthers join Pella at the IHSMA Contest locally.