The pounding Saturday afternoon in Waseca came from rows upon rows of drums, not the thunder that woke up some people the same morning.
Although a few area activities were canceled or moved indoors because of the stormy forecast, the 36th annual Waseca Marching Classic parade carried on as planned at noon. (The 5:30 p.m. field competition, however, was moved into the Waseca Junior & Senior High School gym.)
Eight high school marching bands from around the state participated in the parade, including from Luverne to the west, Stewartville to the east and Lakeville to the north.
The parade also included entries from a classic car cruise club, local royalty, and numerous area organizations and businesses, including a waving shark and a gigantic chicken statue on a trailer.
The bands took to the main drag of Waseca, playing everything from Gershwin to Imagine Dragons for the judges who watched from a platform as well as walked around band members as they performed.
The Waseca Marching Jays marched in exhibition rather than competing in the three size classes represented.
That didn’t matter. The hometown band received a roar of approval as they passed in front of the crowd.