For 33 years, Tom Stidham has coordinated the annual Kansas University Band Day. He’s invited high school bands, directed the Marching Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium, acted as parade marshal and even amassed a small collection of mistakenly discarded instrument parts.

But he’s never actually seen the parade.

That, however, hasn’t doused his enthusiasm for the event, which celebrates its 60th anniversary on Saturday. Thirty-four high school bands from Kansas and Missouri, including Lawrence High School and Free State High School, are joining the KU marching band in the parade.

The Marching Jayhawks are slated to play five songs with Band Day participants at halftime of the KU-Southeastern Louisiana University football game, which starts at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Scott Weiss, director of KU bands, David Clemmer, director of KU athletic bands, and Stidham will conduct the halftime performance.

In all, about 2,400 high school students, as well as 80 members of the KU marching band, are set to serenade downtown Lawrence.

Stidham, associate director of bands at KU, said Band Day is something community members anticipate each year.

“It’s a neat thing to do in Lawrence. A lot of townspeople look forward to it,” he said. “Lawrence is a good band community. It’s tradition, a heritage thing.”

One band involved in this year’s event is from Greensburg High School, which has combined its band with nearby Bucklin High School. It’s the season debut for the band, said director Mike Brummett.

Brummett, who is bringing about 70 student musicians, said the combined schools have participated in Band Day for the last two years, but this year’s trip – just four months after a tornado destroyed most of Greensburg – has extra meaning. “It brings a sense of normalcy, just to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

His students are looking forward to the trip and the football game, he said. Mostly, though, “We’re happy we get to go again, and we’re happy we still have a band.”

Band directors from both Lawrence high schools called Band Day a source of civic pride.

In Kansas, “This is the parade” to march in, said LHS director of bands Mike Jones. “Everyone likes to see a band go down the street. : People come from all over to see the parade. It’s something the community should be proud of.”

Free State band director Randy Fillmore said the event is a way to celebrate the city’s history and association with the university. “It’s a time for the community to come together and enjoy the bands.”

Sgt. Paul Fellers, of the Lawrence Police Department, said that because of the large crowds, people planning to watch the parade should pick a spot early.

“Because of the extra traffic for Band Day and the KU football game, it is best to allow extra travel time,” Fellers said. “This is especially true for those individuals who are planning on attending the parade downtown. Motorists should be aware that there is always an increase in school bus traffic on Band Day and a substantial increase in pedestrian traffic, as well.”