It's that time of year again. One of the world's favorite sports is back. You might be saying, "Football!" or "Field hockey!", but no friends, I'm talking marching band. It's officially marching band season in New York as the first competition weekend of the season was this past weekend. I'm an alumna and staff member for my high school's marching band and I love this time of year, so I'm going to tell you why marching band season is so awesome.

Marching band season is awesome because that means fall is almost here. Though the band really started rehearsing at the beginning of July (and some sections earlier than that), competitions start in September and go to the end of October. This means falling leaves, cold nights, Hot Hands and hot chocolate from concession stands. Get ready to be dressing in two layers of pants and three layers of long sleeve shirts, because it gets cold late in the season!

Marching band season is awesome because it's also football season! You can normally find our band in the stands at the stadium on Friday nights with all of the cheering fans. The band plays stand cheers and even performs during half-time.

Marching band season is awesome because that means its competition time! Competitions are the major part of the NYSFBC (New York State Field Band Conference). Almost every Saturday and some Sundays throughout September and October, we travel to other schools and perform the shows that we've all worked hard on. Competitions were always one of my favorite parts of band.

Marching band season is awesome because it's time for home shows! Almost every school has what they call a "Home Show,” where the competing marching bands come to their high school (or whatever school has the field) and compete. This is a time to show what you've got on your home turf, and also a time to be welcoming of other schools and their bands. It also means honoring the seniors, who have worked so hard for the past few years and giving them their time in the spotlight.

Marching band season is awesome because that means concession stand food. Walking tacos (or taco in a bag), pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, and most of all...salted potatoes. Let me tell you, concession food is some of the best food.

Marching band season is awesome because of the bus rides. The bus rides are where some of the best memories I have of marching band take place. The bus ride back from State Championships in 2011, when LHSMB won first place for the first time, we sang “We are the Champions.” The bus ride to Florida in 2009 included a traffic jam that lasted hours and kids playing cards. Bus rides are where you get to bond with your section and with your friends.

Marching band season is awesome because of the feeling of family. When I was in marching band, someone once told me we were basically just a big, crazy, messed up family. It didn't matter if we won, lost, had a stand still performance or got rained on, we all still supported each other. I'm as lucky as a staff member to see the kids grow, see friendships form, and see the bonds they already have strengthen.

And that is why marching band season is awesome.