MARSHALL — It’s going to be a big weekend for high school marching bands from three states — but band members aren’t the only ones excited for Pursuit of Excellence to return, said Marshall High School band director Larry Petersen. Everyone from the directors to the judges and band clinicians that help make the event special are excited to be back, he said.

“I don’t know if people realize what a premier event this is. The clinics make it unique,” Petersen said.

The 25th annual Pursuit of Excellence marching band competition will be Saturday at Southwest Minnesota State University. After a year when the COVID-19 pandemic stopped many marching bands from performing, there was a lot of interest from high schools in getting back on the field this fall.

“Our numbers are way up this year,” Petersen said. “We have a full slate,” with a total of 21 bands from Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa taking part.

The chance to compete isn’t the only thing that’s attracted bands to Pursuit for the past 25 years. Over the course of the day Saturday, students get a chance to work with band clinicians to help sharpen their skills.

The Pursuit of Excellence competition starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

“There’s a lot going on in town this weekend,” so the competition has had a venue change, to the regional track and field complex at SMSU, Petersen said. In some ways, it will be a return to earlier days of Pursuit — bands used to perform at the complex back when it was the old Mattke Field.

Marshall Tiger Marching Band members are looking forward to Pursuit, Petersen said.

“The kids are excited to perform,” he said. “(Marching band) is an activity where we don’t have a bench. Everyone is in it.”

The Tiger Marching Band’s show this season is called “Above the Clouds.” Petersen said the show’s theme is based around the sky, and the idea of rising above challenges in life.

“The music is really joyful and happy, though there’s some turbulence, which I think life has,” he said.