State marching band championships coming to Mifflin County
High school to host 13 bands from across Pennsylvania
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LEWISTOWN -- When Mifflin County High School opened its new stadium last fall, the hope was that the venue would become more than a home field.
It would be a destination. A place capable of drawing major events to the Juniata River Valley. That vision continues to become a reality on Saturday, Oct. 31, when the Marching Huskies host the Pennsylvania Tournament of Bands State Championships for the first time.
Thirteen marching bands from across the Commonwealth are registered to compete, bringing hundreds of performers and what organizers expect to be one of the largest crowds the stadium -- Kish Bank Field at Donald M. Chapman III -- has seen since opening.
"This is something we're really proud of," said Carrie L. Baumgardner, president of the Mifflin County Music Boosters. "We have a lot of support from our community and we're expecting a big crowd. We're definitely proud of our marching band and cannot wait to see how we do."
The PA State Championships are a relatively new addition to the Tournament of Bands schedule. Other states have long held statewide competitions, but Pennsylvania's version began only a few years ago.
Altoona hosted the event most recently, but when that contract ended, Mifflin County stepped forward. With a new stadium, strong community backing and a program that has become one of the most successful in the state, the timing lined up.
"It kind of worked out," Baumgardner said. "We're really hoping for a lot of community support."
The Huskies enter the competition season as one of the state's premier programs. Under former director Art Belfiore, Mifflin County has won three straight Tournament of Bands state titles, three Atlantic Coast Championships in seven years and 10 regional crowns between Belfiore's tenure at Mifflin County and previously at Lewistown.
Belfiore started working on hosting the event before he announced his retirement.
"The facility lends itself really well for a competition," Belfiore explained. "I have been thinking about having this event at MCHS since I knew when it would be completed. It is nice to see it finally happening."
The only other locations where the state competition has been held are Altoona and McKeesport.
"I believe the MCHS facility is much better suited to host than either of the other locations," Belfiore said.
Mitchell Field in Lewistown used to host competitions, with the last one held in the early 2000s, Belfiore added. "Since I have hosted band competitions in the past, and gone to a few, I am helping the music boosters with the event."
Under new Mifflin County High School Director of Bands Brandon Kahley, the Marching Huskies continued their reign at states.
"We are excited and honored to have the opportunity to host the 2026 TOB state competition," Kahley shared. "We will have bands from all over Pennsylvania coming to compete at our home stadium! While an extremely daunting task of preparation lies before the band program, we are all excited to bring back the ability to host a competition here in Lewistown once again."
The state championships in Lewistown will assemble bands from every corner of Pennsylvania. Last year's field included Conemaugh Township, DuBois, East Allegheny, Elizabeth Forward, Greater Johnstown, Huntingdon, Juniata Valley, McGuffey, Penn‑Trafford, Serra Catholic, Somerset, Southern Tioga, Sto‑Rox, Tussey Mountain, Tyrone, and WestMont Hilltop.
With the Huskies fresh off another state title and preparing for ACCs in Hershey the following week, the championship meet offers a chance to perform in front of a home crowd on one of the biggest stages of the season.
Baumgardner said the boosters are ready. "We're proud of our marching band," she said. "We cannot wait to see how we do."