Binghamton Columbus Day Tournament of Band Set to Step Off

The annual Columbus Day Tournament of Bands high school band competition and the Italian Festival take place starting at 9 a.m. October 13 in Downtown Binghamton. 

Motorists should be aware that Court Street and Water Street will be closed most of the day.  Court will be closed from Water to Collier Street while, to the west, Main Street will be closed during the band competition as parade units gather between Arthur Street and Congdon Place.

Downtown Binghamton Business Association President Ron Sall says everything is slated to get started at 9 a.m. and continue until about 4 p.m. with dozens of vendors lined up for the Italian Festival.

In addition to the marching band that are competing for placement in categories ranging from execution and precision to color guards and drum major performance, several politicians up for election this year, community groups and businesses will participate in the march.

When the marching band contest first started, the parade was almost entirely made up of the competing bands that are placed in sections based on district size.