Twenty high school marching bands converged on Wildcat Stadium and The WILD on September 28, 2024, for the return of the Wildcat Marching Festival hosted by the Pride of Godley and the Godley Band Boosters.

Granbury High School was the big winner after the evening finals competition.  Other bands in the top ten (in rank order) were Brock High School, Venus High School, Everman High School, Grand Prairie High School, Fort Worth Benbrook High School, Troy High School, Grandview High School, Bosqueville High School and Lake Worth High School. 

Also competing but not advancing to finals were Arlington Bowie High School, Fort Worth North Side High School, Fort Worth South Hills High School, Glen Rose High School, Lorena High School, Maypearl High School, Millsap High School, Peaster High School, Ponder High School and Whitney High School.

Adjudicators for the festival were:  

• Music:  Jim Alexander, Alvarado ISD; Chris McLellan, UIL Region 7 Executive Secretary; Jon Shriver, Director of Bands for C. H. Yoe High School

• Visuals:  Doug Fulwood, Director of Fine Arts for Royse City ISD; Pam Hyatt, Director of Bands for Waco Midway High School

As the host, the Pride of Godley presented an exhibition performance but did not compete with the other schools.  The Godley band received the same critiques as other ensembles that will be used to improve over the competition season that includes the official UIL region marching contest set for Saturday, Oct. 19 at Springtown High School.

The festival was possible with the band staff as well as many parent and student volunteers, according to Director of Bands Joe Walker.