Alexandria, Minnesota

Eight different bands have claimed the Grand Champion title in the Festival's 33-year history. Join us to see who rises to the top in 2018!

Future Dates:
June 24, 2018
June 30, 2019
June 28, 2020
Always the last Sunday
in June

2018 PARADE RESULTS
Henry Sibley H.S. earned the Grand Champion title at the 34th Annual Vikingland Band Festival, capping an exciting summer marching season where multiple bands were in contention for the top award. It was Henry Sibley's second Grand Champion win in Alexandria, having also earned the title in 1986. Seven bands scored above the 80-point mark in the competition, which indicates the depth of quality in this year's lineup. The Mankato 77 Lancers placed second overall and earned the Class AAAA Champion title for the first time since 2012. Waconia was named "People's Choice" for the seventh time, tying the record of seven wins held by the Mankato 77 Lancers. The Alexandria Marching Band served as host for the parade which featured 19 ensembles including special honor unit River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps.

Henry Sibley scored 87.2 to claim the top honor. Mankato 77 Lancers scored 85.4, Waconia scored 85.3, 728 Cadets scored 84.6, and Sauk Rapids-Rice scored 80.9 to round out the overall top five. Dassel-Cokato claimed the Class AA champion title for the second consecutive year, and Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg claimed the Class A champion title for the tenth consecutive year. View complete 2018 results »

2018 PARADE ENTRIES
Another fantastic lineup: View the participating bands by class or in parade order.
• Alexandria - Host
• River City Rhythm Drum & Bugle Corps - Honor Unit
• Albany
• Champlin Park
• Dassel-Cokato
• Fergus Falls
• Henry Sibley
• Hutchinson
• Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
• Mankato 77 Lancers
• Maple Lake
• Richfield
• Sartell
• Sauk Rapids-Rice
• Solar Sound
• St. Michael-Albertville
• Waconia
• Winona Cotter
• 728 Cadets

FREE bonus DVD of aerial footage!
ORDER THE 2018 PARADE DVD
Overhead shots and multi-camera views make the 2018 Festival DVD great. Professional cameras from Livewire Entertainment capture the bands at the peak of their summer season. Your DVD includes a bonus disc featuring unedited footage from the overhead camera. Order Parade DVD >>

GRAND MARSHALS ANNOUNCED
Bill and Anne Riggs have been chosen to lead the 2018 parade as Grand Marshals in recognition of their long record of supporting the arts and teaching two generations of students in Alexandria Public School District 206. Full Story >>

PARADE REVIEWING STAND SEATS
No need to bring your lawn chair or arrive extra early to reserve a spot! Bleacher seating is available in prime viewing areas along the parade route. Every band will perform in front of the seating areas. Seats are available at 6th, 8th, 11th and 14th Avenues. Order Parade Seating Tickets >>

MINNESOTA DRUM CORPS PREMIERE
It's a two-day marching music weekend! The Vikingland Band Festival will present the Minnesota Drum Corps Premiere at 7:00 PM on Saturday, June 23. River City Rhythm and Chops drum and bugle corps will debut their 2018 field show productions, and four high school marching bands will kick off the evening by performing their summer parade music. The event takes place at the Alexandria Area H.S. football field. See Full Story >> and Order Drum Corps Tickets >>

PAST RESULTS
Did you know that 93 different bands have appeared in the Vikingland Band Festival since its inception in 1985? Browse the Festival archives to access scores and participants from previous Festivals.

DID YOU KNOW...?
Alexandria is the only band to appear in every Vikingland Band Festival, but many bands have a long history performing in the festival. Including 2017 appearances, these bands have appeared at least 15 times: Alexandria (33), Bertha-Hewitt (31), Fergus Falls (30), Waconia (29), Henry Sibley (28), Mankato Lancers (28), Winona Cotter (28), Long Prairie (27), Park Center (27), St. Cloud All-City (24), Litchfield (22), Sauk Rapids (19), Osseo (18), New York Mills (17), Albany (16), Albert Lea (16).

Fourteen different bands have been named People's Choice since we launched the award in 1989, and the Mankato Lancers have won it a record seven times! Previous People's Choice award winners:
• 2017 728 Cadets
• 2016 Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
• 2015 728 Cadets
• 2014 Waconia
• 2013 Mankato Lancers
• 2012 728 Cadets
• 2011 Bemidji
• 2010 Mankato Lancers
• 2007-08-09 Waconia
• 2006 The Patriots
• 2004-05 Waconia
• 2000-01-02-03 Mankato Lancers
• 1999 Albert Lea
• 1998 Champlin Park
• 1997 Fergus Falls
• 1996 Long Prairie
• 1994-95 Irondale
• 1993 Mankato Lancers
• 1991-92 New Richmond, WI
• 1990 Henry Sibley
• 1989 Hibbing

Festival Scenes: View photo galleries »

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
"Like" the Vikingland Band Festival on Facebook to stay informed of last-minute updates, news and Festival history.

EXPERIENCE THE FESTIVAL IN PERSON
Join the 20,000 spectators and 2,000 performers for this spectacular event. Look here for the parade route and maps of Alexandria. More »

2018 PLATINUM SPONSORS



GOLD SPONSORS
Aagard
Alomere Health
Henry's Foods
Stanbury Uniforms

SILVER SPONSORS
Alexandria Technical & Community College
Central Lakes Orthodontics
Cub Foods
Douglas Machine Inc.
DQ Grill & Chill
Eckroth Music
Elden's Fresh Foods
Garden Center Inc.
Glenwood State Bank
ITW Heartland
Juettner Motors
Kensington Bank
Martinson Insurance
MN Eye Institute
Pro Mach, Inc. Brenton, LLC
REA - Runestone Electric Association
Schmitt Music
Steinbring Motorcoach
Widseth Smith Nolting & Assoc., Inc

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL
Alexandria Downtown Merchants Association
Bell Bank
Gardonville Coop Telephone
Knights of Columbus
Viking Garage Door

IN-KIND SPONSORS
Alexandria Golf Cars & Koep's Korner
Alexandria Park Department
Alexandria Police Department
Alexandria Recreational Vehicles
Alexandria Street Department
Banners.com
Bell Bank
Bremer Bank
City of Alexandria
Cowing Robards
DataBae Systems
Douglas Country Sheriff's Posse
Hilltop Lumber
Honor Guard - American Legion Post 87, Vietnam Veterans, VFW
HPS Rental
Hubbard Radio - Alexandria
Jessica Cook Design
KIKV Radio
KXRA Radio
Joe Korkowski
Marching.com
Midwest Machinery
Mike's In Out Oil Change
Mosquito Joe
North Ambulance
Northern Heart Music
Osakis Public Schools
Parkers Prairie Schools
Rose City Signs
Sauk Centre Public Schools
Tastefully Simple
US Bank
Viking Office Supply
West Central Sanitation
Winning Edge Graphics
YMCA