Story by Ainsley Hall

MARTINSBURG — Martinsburg High School’s band is planning the Runnin’ with the Dogs 5K race and 44th annual Martinsburg Band Spectacular on Sept. 30.

The race will begin at Martinsburg High School’s Cobourn Field at 9 a.m. Later that evening, it will host the Band Spectacular, where bands throughout the area will gather to compete and play for guests.

The Runnin’ with the Dogs 5K race will kick off the Band Spectacular in the morning. This is the second year the band has hosted the 5K race. Participants will run down Bulldog Boulevard, cross Queen Street, follow the new Frog Hollow Trail and come back to the track turf right where they started.

Throughout the race, runners will see little hints of Disney, as all the proceeds from the race will go toward the band’s trip to Walt Disney World in the spring. Some of the students will be dressed up as Disney characters, and there will be many different photo opportunities during the race.

Later that day, people in the community are welcome to come listen to 11 different bands from all over the tri-state area compete. Shepherd University’s band will also attend and perform during the event. Casie Adams, director of Martinsburg High School’s band, is excited to see more bands participate in the competition.

“This event has always been a staple in the community,” Adams said. “Everyone looks forward to it and knows it’s held in September. I also think it’s special, because in the past, we’ve only had five bands come out. We’ve started to get our name back out there and grown the event back to what it once was.”

During the Band Spectacular event, the Bulldog Band concession stand will be selling food, drinks, T-shirts and other merchandise to help fund its trip to Disney World. Guests will also buy raffles to vote for their favorite band, and photographers will be on site to take pictures during the band’s performances.

“The community loves seeing the school and getting involved with what the students are doing,” Adams said. “The students themselves are learning the importance of excellence when it comes to the band. They enjoy being a part of these events, and they want to be involved, especially with the trip to Disney in the spring. The students are working hard to get the word out.”

Guests can register for the 5k race up until the day of the event. They can register online or in person before the race starts.

For more information about the race and the Martinsburg Band Spectacular, visit https://www.mhsbulldogband.com.

Martinsburg High

Martinsburg High School’s band prepares for 5K race, 44th Annual Band Spectacular