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Bands of America championships canceled due to pandemic

Posted at 10:47 AM, Jul 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-22 10:47:06-04

INDIANAPOLIS — The coronavirus pandemic has cost Downtown Indianapolis another major event.

Music for All announced Tuesday it will cancel its fall Bands of America marching band competitions across the county. That will include the Bands of America Super Regionals and the Bands of America Grand National Championships held annually at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Grand Nationals typically bring more than 100 high school bands from across the county and around 80,000 people to the downtown area.

"We are facing uncertain and unprecedented times, and the health, safety and wellness of the students, band directors, staff, volunteers, spectators, and others associated with our programs remain our number one priority," Music for All's Debbie Laferty Asbill said in a statement on the organization's website. "With this extraordinary development, we share in the deep disappointment of the thousands of performing students, teachers, and supporters."

Downtown Indianapolis has lost out on multiple events and conventions due in 2020 due to the pandemic. In June, the National FFA Board of Directors announced its convention will be held virtually in October.

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