The 54th annual Jackson Marching Band Festival has been rescheduled for Oct. 13 due to rain. The day's events will include a parade through downtown Jackson at 1:30 p.m. with field shows by participating bands beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Jackson High School Stadium.

The festival began in the mid-1940's when Jackson High School Band director Leroy Mason wanted to establish a non-competitive marching event for Southeast Missouri schools. Today, the festival is so large that it is being held in four locations: Perryville, Kennett, Poplar Bluff and Jackson.

Schools participating in this year's festival in Jackson are Oak Ridge, Greenville, Meadow Heights, Oran, Bloomfield, Chaffee, Delta, Scott County Central, Charleston, Sikeston, Advance, Cape Girardeau Central and Jackson High School Bands.

Cost for the field show is $2 for adults and $1 for students and can be paid at the gate.