Twenty-one marching bands are gathering at Pella High School today to kick off the fall competition season.

Director of the Pella Marching Dutch Dameon Place invites the community to come watch those ensembles perform at the 16th annual Marching Dutch Invitational, beginning at 4:00 this afternoon. Local bands competing include Knoxville, PCM, and Newton.

The Pella Marching Dutch will perform in exhibition to end the festivities at 10 p.m. at Pella High School. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at the gate. Find a full schedule here.