It began on the hot days of late July and early August.

It concluded on a slightly- cooler day last week.

The Pride of Kingfisher took part last Wednesday in the OSSAA regional marching band competition at Enid High School.

The Pride earned an “excellent” rating, which is the second-highest awarded by judges.

The name of their marching show was “Bailamos” comprised of three movements: Latin Nights, Gypsy Queen and Fiesta!

The band began learning the show on July 28.

Over the next five days, members spent four hours a day learning the routine and the music.

“Once school started, we practiced one hour a day during school and then on Tuesday nights for two hours,” said Director Mandy Owens.

There were some speed bumps along the way, incluing one week that was filled with rain.

“We couldn’t go outside without damaging instruments,” Owens said. “We leaned in on learning the music really well. Flexibility is an important skill we develop during marching season.”

The Pride went to two other contests during the season: The Hub City Invitational and Tri-state Marching Contest.

“I am pleased with the consistency the students have worked with, making improvements with every performance of the marching show,” Owens said.

She looks for those improvements to continue throughout the band’s work this year and beyond.

“The Kingfisher band is on the younger side this year with two-thirds of the group being freshmen and sophomores,” Owens said. “The future is bright for the Kingfisher band program.”

Amber Lynn Gustafson served as the Pride’s drum major.

Other band members competing Wednesday included Chris Sanders, Juan Flores, Devan Morse, Blake Snow, Brantley Johnson, Caleb Meadors, Trayson Deterding, Caleb Johnson, Kade Snow, Isaiah Smithson, Mateo Arita, Maisen Johnston, Sara Farris, Paisley Parrott, Paige Parrott, Graci Hux, Emma Munoz, Kayla Ortega, Noah Clayton, Jorge Covarrubias, Ashley Delatorre, Savannah Langford, Dexter Fletcher, Gracie Fuksa, Nayleigh Schelm, Lizzie Hiebert, Dania Garcia, Vanessa Gomez, Shaniyah Burpo, Josiah Burpo, Chloe Casto, Wyatt Fuksa, Livia Varnell and Warren Smith.