By Tribune staff

Waconia High School won top honors Sunday as its marching band was named the grand champion of the 2007 Albert Lea Festival of Bands.

Bands are divided into four classes. Ten bands competed. The 11th band, Albert Lea High School, as host participated as exhibition only.

In Class AAAA, Mankato won first place with a score of 83.8. Osseo was second with 80.2. Maple Grove took third with 73.5.

In Class AAA, Owatonna took first over second-place finisher Henry Sibley. Owatonna had a score of 77.9; Henry Sibley had 72.9.

In Class AA, Waconia won first place with a score 85.9, the highest among all classes. Richfield took second in the class with a score of 70.7.

In Class A, Kerkhoven-Murdock Sunburg won first place with a score of 73.7. Maple River had a score of 72.5, taking second place. United South Central was third, having a score of 67.1.

Judges gave Albert Lea a score of 62.

Other awards were handed out. Mankato won the title of People&8217;s Choice. Waconia took honors in brass, percussion, woodwinds and auxiliary. Mankato won the drum major category.

Judges were Dave Haugen of Sioux Falls, S.D., Bob Carlson of Sioux Falls, S.D., Bob Goheen of Brandon, S.D., Kevin Kessler of Brandon, S.D., Craig Spangler of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Kyle Haugen of Bellevue, Neb.

The ninth annual Albert Lea Festival of Bands takes place June 15, 2008.