Mineola's Iron Horse Marching Classic (Saturday October 4th, 2025)

[SwarmFan1]

Meredith Memorial Stadium, Mineola Texas

Lineup tbd

25 bands, 10 in finals

[SwarmFan1]

[Gigger_Frog]

do we know any of the schools yet?

[SwarmFan1]

5 minutes ago, pacaroni and cheese said:

do we know any of the schools yet?

It's early but so far 4A North Lamar, 4A Pleasant Grove, 3A Elkhart and 2A Teneha, with Mineola in Exhibition. Should be some good performances for sure.

[SwarmFan1]

Updated list: 

Harmony

Queen City

Elkhart

Winnsboro

Valley Mills

Tenaha

Pleasant Grove

Farmersville

North Lamar

[TexasStrangers]

Looks like this could be a nice event for some schools to join. Good job on getting schools to book already before the school year is out. 

[SwarmFan1]

Updated list, no particular order.

Pleasant Grove

North Lamar

Elkhart

Tenaha

Winnsboro

Valley Mills

Farmersville

Queen City

Harmony

Palestine 

Lovelady

Cayuga

Grand Prairie

[SwarmFan1]

Here is the sign up link if any directors are interested. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFlHAbPNrDBcUIjbLXFrwdQSMQjEHXc0BKQWP5wbOGwTMN2g/viewform?pli=1

[TexasStrangers]

Any new update on this?

[SwarmFan1]

Update on the lineup!

Pleasant Grove
North Lamar
Elkhart
Tenaha
Winnsboro
Valley Mills
Farmersville
Queen City
Harmony
Palestine
Lovelady
Cayuga
Grand Prairie
Redwater
Terrell
Alba Golden
Eustace
Bullard
Edgewood
Mt. Vernon

 

[TexasStrangers]

Dang, this festival isn't playing around. Yes, it's not a big band event but several big name 4A's, 3A's and 2A's state finalists mixed in. Good job whoever put this together.

[SwarmFan1]

There's only 1 spot left! We would like another 5 or 6A band to sign up if anybody is interested.

[thebandman09]

Hi, I’m the band director at W.W. Samuell High School in Dallas. I was wondering if there’s any way my band could be a part of your upcoming marching festival. We’re a traditional show style band, but we’re working hard to prepare for UIL and would really appreciate the opportunity to perform and get some feedback. Let me know if that’s possible, thank you!

[SwarmFan1]

23 hours ago, thebandman09 said:

Hi, I’m the band director at W.W. Samuell High School in Dallas. I was wondering if there’s any way my band could be a part of your upcoming marching festival. We’re a traditional show style band, but we’re working hard to prepare for UIL and would really appreciate the opportunity to perform and get some feedback. Let me know if that’s possible, thank you!

We have filled the last slot but are contacting the appropriate folks to see if we can add 1 more! I'll be in touch when I get an answer.

[SwarmFan1]

23 hours ago, thebandman09 said:

Hi, I’m the band director at W.W. Samuell High School in Dallas. I was wondering if there’s any way my band could be a part of your upcoming marching festival. We’re a traditional show style band, but we’re working hard to prepare for UIL and would really appreciate the opportunity to perform and get some feedback. Let me know if that’s possible, thank you!

We have you slotted in. Email me at castleberryc@mineolaisd.net and I'll send you the Google form to sign up. Thanks!

[criscubes]

WOW, seeming how last year this contest seemed pretty empty, it definitely took a turn. I don't want to jinx it, but it's looking fun and definitely going to be something to watch out for.

[SwarmFan1]

UIL scheduling killed us last year, which is why we moved it to Saturday. Historically we have always had 25 plus bands. It's going to be a great time.

[TexasStrangers]

13 hours ago, criscubes said:

WOW, seeming how last year this contest seemed pretty empty, it definitely took a turn. I don't want to jinx it, but it's looking fun and definitely going to be something to watch out for.

Yup, I didn't go to it last year because there was only 7 bands I think. I know Mineola typically held their contest on a Monday the week before many of the schools had Regionals which is why they always had a good turnout. However, with the State Band Contests every year now and last year most of the bands had their Regionals a week earlier it caused alot of bands to focus on that instead. I think the contest has now been moved to earlier in the season and now on a Saturday allowing more bands to be able to attend which I think is great. I know the lineup looks interesting as several 4A/3A/2A State Bands are going to be there.

[AaronT]

From LeanderMomma…

I am deleting this one on request from a Mineola Booster Member because this contest is a fundraiser for them and it includes offering meals for purchase to participating bands. 

 

 

[rudy12]

Way to early predictions

1 Marshal

2 Farmersville

3 Grand Prairie

4 Pleasant Grove

5 Pine Tree

6 North Lamar

7 Redwater

8 Winnsboro

 

[SwarmFan1]

Tenaha has dropped out of the contest, we have 1 slot available, first come first served. Bring it on! Fill the Google form out to register. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFlHAbPNrDBcUIjbLXFrwdQSMQjEHXc0BKQWP5wbOGwTMN2g/viewform?usp=sharing

[TexasStrangers]

Hopefully you can get that spot filled, looks like several good bands will be there. A good chance for a 3A/4A/5A band to join up.

[rudy12]

15 minutes ago, TexasStrangers said:

Hopefully you can get that spot filled, looks like several good bands will be there. A good chance for a 3A/4A/5A band to join up.

Would love to see Canton join this one.

[TexasStrangers]

1 hour ago, rudy12 said:

Would love to see Canton join this one.

I would love to see any 4A or 3A State Level band join this one especially you already have 3 4A state bands from last year Farmersville, North Lamar and PG and 3 3A state bands as well in Redwater, Winnsboro and Queen City. 

[Ahsoka]

This might be a dumb question, but does the Mineola band compete in this contest or do they only host it? Also, I’d like to attend as a spectator and want to know the price of admission and what time it starts.