Photo by Alice Independent School District.
ALICE, Texas — Alice Independent School District was selected to host this year’s UIL Class 3A Area E Marching Contest, bringing performers and supporters from across the region to Alice for a competition with spots at the state level on the line.
The contest marks a return to Alice for the area marching competition, which Alice ISD Fine Arts Director and Head Band Director Emerico Perez said was previously held in the city about 20 years ago.
“Alice, Texas is known as the Hub City and back maybe 20 years ago, this was the place where the area marching contest was held, and it was nice that once we were able to get a new stadium and new facilities people were noticing,” Perez said. “[UIL] called and asked and I asked our Superintendent, School Board and they gave us permission — it’s back in the Hub City!”
The Alice High School Band will help facilitate the competition alongside other district staff, with the new stadium and facilities providing a venue for the large-scale event.
The contest will follow a preliminary and finals format, with judges selecting the top 10 bands to advance to the finals round later Saturday. From those finalists, five bands will earn the opportunity to compete at the 2026 UIL Class 3A State Marching Contest on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Beyond the competition itself, the event is expected to bring visitors into Alice who may contribute to the local economy through spending on lodging, meals and other purchases.
“We hope this is great for our community and great for all the patrons coming to Alice to stay in our hotels and eat in our restaurants and that’s just great for our community. We plan on giving all these students and directors the best possible experience here in Alice.”
With 29 bands participating, the contest offers an opportunity to introduce visitors from across the region to Alice Memorial Stadium while bringing a major school competition back to the Hub City.
The competition is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, at Alice Memorial Stadium. The Alice Police Department also announced temporary closures along portions of S. Stadium Road and E. Houston Street on Saturday to accommodate the competition. Motorists are encouraged to plan alternate routes and use caution near the stadium. S&S Auto Repair will remain accessible, and customers will retain access to their units at Affordable Mini Storage despite the closures.
