Some of the region's best musicians will entertain and compete for awards at the Baron Invitational, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Manheim Central High School football stadium, 400 Adele Ave. Gates will open at 11 a.m., and the first band will perform at 11:45 a.m. The event will wrap up by 5 p.m., in plenty of time for families to celebrate Halloween.

Fifteen bands, including Manheim Central's band, will perform in the invitational.

"High school marching bands from the region will be performing their themed field shows," said Keara Dagen, Baron Invitational co-chair. "Bands are separated into size divisions and ability classes. A panel of judges scores each band on music, visual execution, percussion and auxiliary/color guard units. At the end of the event, drum majors and student representatives gather on the field for awards, recognizing placement by class and division."

Along with music and field performances, the event will feature a variety of food for purchase.

"Our concession stand will have items such as long johns, sticky buns, hot dogs, walking tacos and a variety of soups," Dagen said. "There are also three separate food trucks: our own MC Band Boosters' french fry truck, the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association milkshake truck and the Kona Ice shaved ice truck."

Proceeds will benefit Manheim Central's marching band program, with funds going toward purchasing uniforms, sheet music and sound equipment, as well as instrument maintenance and special trips.

Manheim Central's marching band has a unique theme for its show this year, Dagen said.

"The theme is 'Metamorphosis.' It is about change and how our perception of what is going on around us helps to define our reality," she explained. "Change is neither good or bad. We just need to see the beauty that lies therein and recognize the chances we get to grow and spread our wings."

It's a particularly fitting theme, she added.

"This year we have a new band director, Mr. Jacob Hepler. He was a trumpet player in The Cadets band. This band is in Drum Corps International, which is essentially the major league of marching band," Dagen noted. "This has been a year of changes and transitions for the band."

This year's marching band at Manheim Central is made up of high school students along with "Super Freshmen," or eighth-graders who are invited to join the band.

Dagen encourages anyone who loves music to come out and support the students at the invitational.

"This event is a constant stream of entertainment," she remarked. "Marching bands are interesting to watch because they incorporate both musical arts and visual arts. Most people just think of the music part of the show, but so much work goes into props, marching and color guard that the visual part is just as intricate and interesting."