Hope you didn't even think of trying to get a cheap motel room in Fresno this weekend considering the influx of high-school marching band members flooding the area from north and south. The Western Band Championships are in full swing today and tomorrow. From Friday's 7 section:

The smaller bands (classes 1A, 2A and 3A) will gather at Koligian Stadium at 10 a.m. today, and the larger bands (classes 4A and 5A) will gather at Buchanan Stadium at noon today.

If you don't have two days to devote to your marching-band mania and only have time to see the top bands, my recommendation is to head out Sunday to Buchanan for the finals. The smaller bands step off at 10 a.m. and the larger bands start at 3:15 p.m.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: The discipline, musicianship, visual impact and passion of these hard-working band members is incredible. Watching the top bands perform can be an artistic experience.

In the meantime, for any competing band members reading this, post a comment below telling folks what they can expect from your school's routine. Any predictions on who the top winners will be?