Poway High hosting major marching band tournament

By Emily Sorensen

The 21st annual Poway Invitational Field Tournament (PIFT) is returning to Poway High School, beginning at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.

PIFT will be hosting 20 competing marching bands with color guards, as well as a performance by the Poway High School marching band and color guard, who will not be in competition. The event will also feature two exhibition performances by the San Diego State University Fighting Aztecs, performing at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Organized by the PHS Music Boosters, all proceeds raised by PIFT will go to benefit the entire music program at Poway High School, not just the marching band.

Out of the 20 competing marching bands, two from the Poway Unified School District will be performing, Del Norte High School at 7 p.m. and Mt. Carmel High School at 8 p.m. Poway High School will perform last, at 8:15 p.m., with the awards scheduled to begin at 8:45 p.m.

Other competing high school marching bands include Holtville High School, University City High School, Patrick Henry High School, Fallbrook High School, Mira Mesa High School and San Marcos High School.

If you get hungry between bands, PIFT will be selling food, including Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and chips, garlic knots, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, bagged cookies, pizza, nachos and cold drinks. Food will also be available from El Ranchito Taco Shop and Kona Ice, as well as the PIFT Cafe, selling hot chocolate, coffee, cupcakes and cinnamon rolls, and the Twin Peaks Band Boosters will be selling candy, chips and bottled water.

Souvenirs will also be sold at the event, including the 60-page PIFT 2013 program, available for $5 near admissions at both the Gate 1 and Gate 2 entrances.

Admission to PIFT is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and high school and middle school students. Children of elementary school age and younger are free. Tickets for spectators are available at admissions stands located at both the north and south entrances on the home side of the stadium.

Parking at the high school will be unavailable except for handicapped parking. Free parking is available at Lake Poway, with free shuttles running to and from the school beginning at noon. Spectators should arrive early to allow extra time for the shuttle service. Premiere parking is available for $10 at the Poway High School north lot adjacent to Titan Stadium off Espola Road.