Pinckneyville takes top honors at Apple Festival

The Pinckneyville Marching Jr. Panthers and Marching Panthers competed in the Murphysboro Apple Festival this past Saturday. The Marching Jr. Panthers won first place in the Junior High Division and also won Best Percussion, Best Color guard and Best Drum Major.

The PCHS Marching Panthers won second place in the Drums At Appletime Field Show with the color guard earning the Best Color Guard Award. The Marching Panthers also placed third in the Apple Festival Grand Parade.

The Marching Warriors of the Du Quoin Middle School took a second place overall in the large Murphysboro Apple Festival Parade on Saturday.

The Marching Panthers will compete in the SIUC Music in Motion Contest on Saturday, Oct. 5 and the Illini Marching Band Championships on Saturday, Oct. 12. Both Pinckneyville bands will perform together on Oct. 18 for the PCHS Homecoming Pre-Game Show.

The PCHS and PJHS bands extend a thank you to all the parents and friends who gave so much to help the bands be ready for this event. The bands are under the direction of Stephen Cannedy and Cathy Cunningham with Karen O'Brien, Rhonda Hicks and Kyle Pursell as assistants.