Vikingland Band Festival, Alexandria, Minnesota

Vikingland
Band Festival

Alexandria, Minnesota

Always the last Sunday
in June

Vikingland Band Festival : 2008 Parade Info

2008 VIKINGLAND BAND FESTIVAL INFO

Join us on Sunday, June 29 at 1:30 PM for the 24th Annual Vikingland Band Festival parade marching championship. Come a day early to enjoy the free "Rootbeer Float Concert" on Saturday, June 28 at 6:00 PM.

Quick links to the information on this page:
Parade Lineup
Root Beer Float Concert
Parade Route
Reviewing Stand Seating Tickets
Parade DVD
Hotels and Lodging
Map and Directions to Alexandria

PARADE LINEUP
The 2008 event will feature 21 marching bands from across Minnesota in four classes of competition, plus a very special Honor Band from Oslo, Norway. View the list of participating bands by class or in parade order with estimated step off times.

ROOT BEER FLOAT CONCERT New for 2008!
The Vikingland Band Festival weekend will feature events on both Saturday and Sunday in 2008. On Saturday, June 28 at 6:00 PM, bring your lawn chairs or blankets to the front lawn of Jefferson High School to enjoy an informal musical performance followed by free root beer floats. Alexandria's Jefferson High School Marching Band will present a stand-still performance of its summer marching music, and the Stabekk School Band from Oslo, Norway, will perform its concert music. The concert will be held on the front lawn of Jefferson High School. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the gym.

PARADE ROUTE Updated for 2008!
The Vikingland Band Festival parade travels south on Alexandria's main street (Broadway) from 4th Avenue to 15th Avenue. New for 2008, there are four performance zones which provide the best opportunity for you to hear every band play their music.

Note that the DVD recording area has been moved further down the parade route from its previous location. This change is designed to streamline the flow of the parade as bands exit the judging area, and give bands more time to prepare for their performance in front of the cameras.

Judging takes place near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Broadway.
A People's Choice voting area is near the intersection of 8th Avenue and Broadway.
The DVD cameras and second People's Choice voting area are near the intersection of 11th Avenue and Broadway.
A final performance area is near the intersection of 14th Avenue and Broadway. This zone ends where all the drum majors gather to salute their competitors.

View a map

REVIEWING STAND SEATING Tickets on sale now!
Bleacher seating is available in prime viewing areas along the parade route. This is a convenient option since your ticket ensures that you'll have a great seat along the parade route, you don't have to carry your own lawn chair, and you don't have to arrive early to claim a good seat.

Seats at 6th Avenue are on the east side of the street facing the judges platform. New in 2008, seats in the 8th Avenue People's Choice zone will be on the WEST side of the street and will have an emcee providing commentary between the performances. Every marching band will perform in these areas.

A limited number of free non-ticketed seats will also be available near the other two performance zones near 11th and 14th Avenues.

To order bleacher tickets, download the ticket order form (pdf format) or call the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce toll-free: 800-235-9441. (Local 320-763-3161.)

ORDER THE 2008 PARADE DVD
Fantastic aerial shots and multi-camera views make the 2008 Vikingland Band Festival DVD great. The television-style DVD is professionally produced by Excellent Multimedia and captures the bands at the peak of their summer season. You'll see each band's performance along with highlights from the awards ceremony. Get details and order online »

HOTELS AND LODGING
If you need a place to stay during your visit to Alexandria, refer to the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Lodging Directory.

MAP AND DIRECTIONS TO ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria is located in central Minnesota roughly half-way between Fargo, North Dakota, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. From Interstate 94, turn into Alexandria at exit number 103. Exit to the North going toward the town. (You'll be on Broadway/Highway 27/Highway 29 ... all three roads converge and become the main street through the city). The parade travels on Broadway in the downtown area.

If you want to visit the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce office, continue north all the way into town. The Chamber is located at 206 Broadway, just a few steps beyond 3rd Avenue and directly across from the town's most famous landmark: the 26-foot Big Ole viking statue.

Map Showing Location of Alexandria

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Maps generated at maps.google.com.