Band wins Nevada Day sweepstakes

The Fighting Tiger marching band earned the bragging rights as the best parade band in the state at the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City on Oct. 28.

The band and pageantry group won three trophies, a plaque and their 428th award during the event. Music director Bill Zabelsky went to the Carson City Chamber of Commerce to pick up the hardware Monday.

"They could have mailed the trophies to us, but I wanted to get them in my hand," Zabelsky said. "The kids need to have them."

The group won the Band Judge's, or Sweepstakes, award for the 16th time since they first won the award in 1988. They took first place spots in band, flags and letter carriers in their divisions, while the flags won first place overall.

The letter unit was second place drill team overall.

The Fighting Tiger band competed in the parade with Carson City, Dayton and White Pine high schools and three middle schools.

Another chance to see the marching band in action is at the Douglas playoff football game 5 p.m. on Nov. 3.

The next day the band participates in the Sierra Band Crusade marching band field competition Nov. 4 at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The last marching band competition is at the Fairfield Tournament of Champions Nov. 18 in Fairfield, Calif.

breakout:

2006 Nevada Day Parade

Sweepstakes Band Judges Award, Best Band in the Parade

n 1st Place Band - Division

n 1st Place Flags - Overall

n 1st Place Flags - Division

n 1st Place I.D. Unit/Letters (Drill Team) - Division

n 2nd Place I.D. Unit/Letters (Drill Team) - Overall