It is an opportunity for area high school music students to display their talent.

The 22nd edition of the Buckeye Classic band competition will be 5 p.m. Saturday at Tanks Memorial Stadium. It is organized by the Ironton High School Band Boosters.

Carla Marshall, Buckeye Classic coordinator, said this year 10 bands will vie for ratings and the right to advance to state band competition. The Ironton High School marching band will perform in exhibition.

The competing bands are Dawson-Bryant, South Point, Green, Sciotoville East, Racine Southern, Northwest, Norwood, Greenup County (Ky.), and Hurricane (W.Va.)

“It’s entertainment, it’s lots of fun and you can really see how talented our young people are and what they can do when they work together,” Marshall said.

Marshall estimated as many as 3,000 will attend the event. More than 700 musicians and color guard participants will perform.

“Last year we cleared over $6,000,” Marshall said. “This money goes into our band uniform fund. We will need to purchase band uniforms within the next two to three years.”

Bands that score a Superior will be eligible for the state competition in November.

Marshall said she is also thankful for the numerous area businesses that support the band competition each year, in spite of the economy.