The Mankato Area Lancers return to the Albert Lea Festival of Bands on Sunday, June 15, as a two-time grand champion winner. If the band is chosen grand champion again this year, it will permanently keep the rotating grand championship flag.

Sixteen competitive high school bands from around the state will perform their creative routines for the fourth-annual festival parade, which begins at 2 p.m. There is no charge for the public to attend.

The Albert Lea High School Marching Tigers, under the direction of Scott Fitzsimonds, acts as host band and leads off the parade. As host, the band is judged but does not compete for trophies or prize money. This is a traditional practice at band festivals.

&uot;It’s the most interesting afternoon they’ll have for the price,&uot; said committee member Jan Hench. &uot;It’s wonderful to see these high school kids perform and their pride.

&uot;Music ranges from show tunes to classicial, movie themes to Sousa marches,&uot; she said. &uot;There’s a real variety for everybody.&uot;

George Feuerhelm, former Albert Lea and Northwood-Kensett music instructor, will be grand marshal. SuFuDu, a novelty drum line, 23 members strong from the Sioux Falls area, will be the honor band.

Returning to the festival this year are: Henry Sibley, Lake City, Osseo, Maple River, Winona, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, Zumbrota/Mezzepa, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg and Mankato. New to the festival this year are Litchfield, Owatonna, Waconia, Adrian, Alexandria and Fairmont.

The awards ceremony follows the parade in Central Park. SuFuDu will present a concert in the park before the awards ceremony. People may also greet the grand marshal after the parade and before the awards ceremony in the park.

The parade is an all band parade and starts on North Broadway Avenue. The parade goes south to Pearl Street, turns onto Washingon Avenue, then proceeds north and ends in the East Clinic parking lot.

For more information on the Festival of Bands, check its Web site at www.festivalofbands.org.