The McNeese State University Cowboy Marching Band will host the “Showdown at Sundown” High School Marching Band Festival at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Cowboy Stadium.

Gates will open at 5:15 p.m. and admission is $5.

Eleven high school marching bands from Louisiana and Texas will participate in the early-season festival, according to Dr. Jay Jacobs, conductor of bands at McNeese. Bands will be adjudicated by a panel of music educators and receive written and recorded comments, along with a festival rating.

Participating Louisiana schools are Sulphur High, Barbe High of Lake Charles, Westlake High, Jennings High, Iowa High, North Vermilion High of Maurice, Abbeville High, Sam Houston High of Moss Bluff, LaGrange High of Lake Charles and Erath High, as well as Orangefield (Texas) High School.

The Pride of McNeese Cowboy Marching Band will conclude the event with exhibition performances of its pregame and halftime shows.