The Union Pines Marching Vikings will be hosting the 20th annual Viking Classic Marching Band Competition Saturday, Oct. 27, from 2 to 9 p.m. at Union Pines High School.

Admission to the event is $5, but free for children 6 and under. Several concessions will offer a variety of food. >

This is a major fundraiser that will enable the Marching Vikings to purchase much-needed equipment, and will also cover transportation costs, another large expense.

Also, the Union Pines band will be taking their spring band trip to San Antonio, Texas, to perform in the National Festival of States, a prestigious honor.

Proceeds from the Viking Classic will also be used to help cover the cost of this trip.

There will be 14 bands in competition from across the state, ranging from Class A to Class AAAA. >

The opening ceremonies will begin at 2 p.m., and the first band will perform at 2:15 p.m. Many bands will follow, with the awards ceremony at 8:30 p.m.

The Union Pines Marching Vikings will perform in exhibition preceding the awards ceremony. Trophies for the awards ceremony will be presented by the Union Pines Marching Vikings seniors.

The theme of this year's Marching Vikings show is "Ongaku, the Music of Japan," a blend of Japanese folk music combined with sounds of the samurai warrior, composed by local musicians Steve Menendez and Tom Bernett. They take the field under the direction of Rob Hill.

The Marching Vikings' assistant directors are Jessica Traversino, the band director at New Century Middle, and Jennifer Smith, the band director at Crains Creek Middle.

The color guard instructor is Teri Blades, and the percussion instructor is Tom Bernett.

The 2012 student drum majors are Jacob Phillips, Sam Fritz and Abby Pilson, who are responsible for directing the band while they perform on the field.

The brass captain is Connor Dull; the woodwind captain is Kristen Daniel; the sideline percussion captain is James McKenzie; the field percussion captain is Zac Cooke; and the color guard captain is Macala Hardy.

"The Marching Vikings are off to an outstanding start this year," says Hill.

The band has received straight superior ratings at all competitions and have placed first in many competitions thus far, to include a Grand Champion tie for top overall score of the day at the Pinecrest Band Fest and a first place finish at Clinton Band Day in class 5A, the largest division of competition.

They also took first place in judged caption categories such as Music Ensemble, Marching, Color Guard, Drum Major, and General Effect (the combination of the overall visual aspect of music, marching, and color guard combined).

This year, they have competed at Pinecrest, Clinton and Eastern Randolph, and will continue to compete at Cape Fear and Lee County.

"Thanks to all the local businesses and parents that have contributed to this year's Viking Classic," says Hill.

Also, the Union Pines band students will begin their annual two-week fruit sale starting in November. The fruit will be delivered in early December.

"If you are interested in fresh Florida fruit and supporting the band, contact any Union Pines band member or me at Union Pines High School," says Hill.

Visit www.unionpines band.org for more information about the band and their performance schedules.