Newton Celebrates with Bands at the Jasper County Fall Festival Parade
Newton, IL — The air was filled with marching drums, bright uniforms, and community pride as the Jasper County Fall Festival parade marched through Newton on Saturday, September 13. The parade, which began at 10:00 a.m., featured local high school and junior high bands from around the region, each competing not only for the joy of performance, but also for awards in categories such as color guard, percussion, drum major, and overall band placement.
Before the parade kicked off, the Newton community gathered for a stirring performance of the National Anthem, sung by Karli Deckard and Lucy Bierman, which set a patriotic tone for the day. The parade began with the honor guard proudly leading the way, followed by a lively lineup of floats, tractors, and community entries that highlighted the festival’s hometown spirit and creativity.
After the parade and the Newton Marching Eagles’ performance on the square, the judging results were announced. Below are the winners by class:
Band Awards Results
Junior High Class
- Most Outstanding Color Guard: Nuttall
- Most Outstanding Drum Major: Nuttall
- Most Outstanding Percussion: Nuttall
- 3rd Place Band: Mattoon
- 2nd Place Band: Casey Westfield
- 1st Place Band: Nuttall
Class A High School
- Most Outstanding Color Guard: Cumberland
- Most Outstanding Drum Major: Vandalia
- Most Outstanding Percussion: Cumberland
- 4th Place Band: Vandalia
- 3rd Place Band: Flora
- 2nd Place Band: Oblong
- 1st Place Band: Cumberland
Class AA High School
- Most Outstanding Color Guard: Richland County
- Most Outstanding Drum Major: Robinson
- Most Outstanding Percussion: Richland County
- 3rd Place Band: Altamont
- 2nd Place Band: Richland County
- 1st Place Band: Robinson
Combined Junior/Senior
- Most Outstanding Color Guard: South Central
- Most Outstanding Drum Major: Hutsonville
- Most Outstanding Percussion: South Central
- 3rd Place Band: Martinsville
- 2nd Place Band: South Central
- 1st Place Band: Hutsonville
Grand Champion
Richland County was named Grand Champion of the band competition at this year’s Fall Festival.
The parade and competition continue to draw crowds and showcase the hard work and talent of students in the region. From precision marching to drum solos and commanding color guard routines, each school left a mark. The Jasper County Fall Festival remains a highlight of the season for Newton and its surrounding towns—a celebration not just of fall, but of music, community, and youth achievement.
