Virginia Marching Band Cooperative 

2025 South County Invitational

Saturday, September 20

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Prop Unloading/Competition Location/Spectator Parking

South County High School

8501 Silverbrook Road

Lorton, VA 22079

 

Bus/Student Drop-Off Location (for GPS)

South County Middle School

8700 Laurel Crest Drive

Lorton, VA 22079

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Contact Information

Kevin Engdahl

kengdahl@fcps.edu

Office: 703-446-1991

Cell: 571-435-4447

 

Event Information

 

Registration, student drop-off, and front ensemble unloading will be at South County MIDDLE SCHOOL.  Please enter the appropriate address into your GPS for travel.

 

Check-in/Registration:  Please check in at the registration table upon arrival.  They will provide you with wristbands for your students and staff, and you will meet your guide there.  

 

Arrival: Your band should arrive at least 1 hour and 35 minutes prior to your scheduled performance time. You are welcome to arrive before the time listed on the schedule.

 

Warm Up Areas:  There are three warm-up areas that will be used for the show.  Unscheduled visual warm-ups will be allowed in the parking lot by registration.  If you choose to do so, no playing or any sounds of any kind will be allowed. 

 

Equipment truck parking, bus parking, and prop unloading/staging will be at South County HIGH SCHOOL.

 

Pit Parking:  Pit trucks will unload in the MIDDLE SCHOOL parking lot by registration.  Trucks will then move over to the HIGH SCHOOL grounds for parking (please see map).  Trucks should take a LEFT on Laurel Crest out of the parking lot and take the first left into the HS grounds.

 

Bus Parking:  Students will be dropped off in the MIDDLE SCHOOL bus loop.  Buses will then move to the HIGH SCHOOL grounds for parking (please see map).  Buses should take a LEFT on Laurel Crest out of the parking lot, and travel to the bus lot entrance, just before the stoplight.

 

Prop Unload and Staging: Prop unloading will be on the HIGH SCHOOL grounds.  Please see the attached maps for where to unload and stage.

 

Spectator Parking: Spectators will park on the HIGH SCHOOL grounds.  Any parents who are assisting you and driving themselves will also need to park at the HIGH SCHOOL grounds and walk over to the middle school.  Walking to the grounds will take you through the stadium entrance, so please make sure these parents know they will need a wrist band first.

 

Gate Time:  Your band must be at the band entrance gate 10 minutes prior to your scheduled performance (gate time listed on schedule).    

 

Field Surface: Synthetic Turf

 

Awards Ceremony:   Drum Majors and/or Band Representatives should assemble for the Awards presentation when the announcement is called.  Awards will be given for the top three bands in each group and the top visual, music, GE, percussion, and guard in each group.

 

Concessions:  Concessions will be available in the stadium during the event.  Menus will be provided in the stadium and will be in the show program.

 

Tickets:  Admission is $10.  Children 5 and under are free.  Cash and credit card are both accepted.  The gate will open one hour prior to the show’s start time.

 

Feeding your Band:  Due to local ordinances no tailgating or grilling of any kind is permitted on the campus or in the surrounding area. 

 

Rain Plan:  In the event of inclement weather VMBC and the SOCO Invitational Event Coordinator will contact directors with delay, standstill, indoor performance or cancellation scenarios.

 

Staff/Adult Access into Stadium:  You will receive a Band Director Badge.  Wrist bands will also be provided for additional staff/chaperones (10 for Group 1 and 2 bands, 15 for Group 3 and 4 bands, and 20 for Group 5 and 6 bands).  All other adults must purchase a ticket to enter the stadium as a spectator.  Tickets will be available for purchase by CC at registration, or by CC/cash at the gate entrance.

 

Entry to the Stadium Following the Performance:  Your band members, bus drivers, and chaperones are invited into the stadium after their performance free of charge, with their wristbands.  Entrance for band members in uniform, or in a group if out of uniform is through the main gate.  While in the stadium, the band members are to sit in groups, with appropriate supervision. Bands may be asked to move to the visitor bleachers if paying supporters cannot find home side seating.

 

Spectator Parking:  Spectator Parking will be available in the high school lot, with extra parking available on Laurel Crest.

 

First Aid: We will have first aid parent volunteers on site if you need assistance.

 

Restrooms: Restrooms are available at the middle school for groups upon arrival, as well as in the stadium.

 

Video: You may send one designated adult to the press box to video tape your own show.  They may go all the way up to the top of the box for a better view if they wish, but advised when asking your volunteers to go up, the stairs are very steep. 

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Please explain these guidelines to your staff, students, and supporters prior to the event.  We appreciate your cooperation!