You are Invited to “Strike Up the Band”, during the Holiday Spirit Contest.

Saturday, November 28, 2026

“LIGHT UP NIGHT”

Attention High School Marching Bands!

There are LIMITED SPOTS available, so acceptance will be on a first come first serve basis. Please FULLY complete the registration form below. We will contact you to fill you in on your eligibility as well as parade specifics.

** NOTE – YOU MUST BE AN OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND **

Click Here to Register

Marching Band Parade Rules, Check-in, & Line-up Info

Remember, Federal Street has narrow lanes. There is not only a center median, but also actually less street width. Please have your band line up narrowly. The street will narrow to approximately 11′ in width in certain sections.
To make the WesBanco “Strike up the Band Program” more exciting, we require two representatives of each band to be at the stage during the announcement of the top three winners. To accomplish this, we ask that you choose one adult and one student (who are marching in your group), to stay behind once your band passes the Grandstand. There will be someone there to direct you where to stand until it’s time for the winners to be announced. (It will be directly to the left of the stage if you are looking at the stage) Someone will be there waving a sign. Make sure your folks represent and wear some school garb for the cameras!
Bands should play cadence until it is time to shine in front of the grandstand. There will be a person with a sign waving in the air in front of the grandstand wearing a yellow safety vest. The sign will say “stop”. They will then flip the sign and it will say “play“ and you should begin your performance. They will keep you in front of the grandstand for about a minute, then will hold up a sign “go” for you to continue your performance and march on.
All bands should be decorated and lit.
Bathrooms will be open and available to you at the Covelli Centre.
Bands are not permitted to have vehicles of any kind accompany them in the parade. Only marchers are permitted.
Each band will be assigned a number and that number will be marked in the lineup area. Parade staff will be on site for assistance.
Please do NOT have anyone in your group dress up as Santa/Mrs. Clause (There is a Santa in the parade and we do not want to confuse children).
Band buses, please drop off students at the Covelli Centre parking lot at 229 E. Front Street between 4:30 and 5:00 PM.
If weather is bad/cold, bands may remain on their buses until approximately 5:30 PM provided they can be ready to march (instruments ready) by 5:45 PM.
Band buses will REMAIN at the Covelli Centre parking lot as the parade will make a loop this year, and end at the same location.
Parking at the Covelli Centre is for Parade Participants ONLY.
You MUST stay in formation for the entire loop of the Parade (less than 1 mile) passing by both the Grandstand and WesBanco.
There will be no changes to final lineup except by Parade Officials.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages by drivers or any participants before or during parade is strictly forbidden.
Throwing items such as gifts or candy during the parade is prohibited. Items must be handed out!
Exceptions to the rules may be made only with the approval of the Parade officials.
Parade officials will direct the disbanding – do not leave formation early.
Information is subject to change PLEASE watch for any future correspondence from Youngstown CityScape.