LEWISTON – Eight schools will showcase their winter color guard teams Saturday in the first Lewiston Color Guard Spectacular.
Color guards began in military and veterans’ units as armed squads of escorts for the National Colors. Drum and bugle corps used their skills in twirling flags, rifles and sabers to add intensity to their shows.
Their displays were “almost like visual accents to the music,” said Jim Alberty, band director for Lewiston High School.
School marching bands picked up the trend.
Flag and rifle corps from some of Maine’s top marching bands, including Edward Little High School in Auburn and Leavitt Area High School in Turner, will gather in the Lewiston High School gym at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Although Lewiston will host the event, Lewiston High School does not have a winter color guard to enter in the show.
The guards will be evaluated by judges from the Maine Band Directors’ Association, but no winner will be named.
“The kids are in competition with themselves,” Alberty said.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Tickets will be available at the door.
Guards are expected from Auburn, Biddeford, Cumberland, Sanford, South Portland, Turner and Westbrook.
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