Sierra Cup Classic
Buchanan Marching Band
Valley Children’s Stadium • Fresno State University
Saturday, October 17, 2026
LAST UPDATE: 10/2/26 • 2:30pm
General Trip Details
Emergency Contacts: John Lack, 509-389-0467 (Emergencies Only)
Student Transportation: Not provided.
Dropoff/Pick-Up Location:
Drop-Off: P20 Lot, north side of Barstow Ave, just east of Cedar. We will have a parent or staff member present at the Southwest Corner of the lot from 4:00pm to 4:15pm to meet the students and walk them over to our truck. We do not recommend dropping students off or at other places around Valley Children’s Stadium.
Pick Up/Departure: Please plan to pick your student up from the Buchanan Band Truck. We will walk students over to the P20 lot if they drove on their own.
Meals Provided/$ for Meals Needed: Snacks provided before and after the performance. Eat a significant meal before you arrive.
Competition Details
Competition Site: Valley Children’s Stadium, 1600 E Bulldog Ln, Fresno, CA 93710 (See map below)
Gates Open: 10:00am (10:45 am first band performs)
Admission: $20.00 General Admission; $15.00 Senior Citizen/Students/Children (under 12)
Competition Schedule: Click here
Buchanan Performs: 8:00pm
Spectator Parking: The best free parking at Fresno State is the P20 Lot located on Barstow Avenue just east of Cedar Avenue. The dorm lot P27 is also an option should spots be available. Handicap parking is available in the Blue Lot at the stadium's south end.
Concessions: Available at the stadium.
Bag/Item Policy: Only clear bags are allowed in the Stadium as well as small clutch
bags, 4.5” x 6.5” x 2”. No bottles or glass containers, and no water bottles larger than 12 oz are allowed into Bulldog Stadium.
Important Reminders
Backpacks, ice chests, and strollers are not allowed in the Stadium. No bottles or glass containers or water bottles larger than 12oz are allowed into Bulldog Stadium.
Video & Audio Recording Prohibited. For the consideration of fellow audience members and in order to protect the rights of composers and copyright owners who license their music to the Buchanan Instrumental Music Program and to our host organizations, the use of any audio or video recording devices—including mobile phones and live-streaming applications—is strictly prohibited during all rehearsals and performances.
Parents/Guardians: You may take your student home from the competition AFTER the truck is loaded and the students have been officially dismissed (9:30pm) if:
You complete the “Post-Event Release Form”.
You check your student out from their bus chaperone IN-PERSON. We will only release students to their own parent/guardian.
Packing List & Student Reminders
Don't forget your 5 S's - ApolloS, Shirt, Shorts, Socks, & Shoes!
Bring your water jug FULL of water.
Drink lots of water! The night before, in the morning, during, and after.
Please eat a healthy breakfast before rehearsal.
Eat a healthy lunch after rehearsal.
NO soda or energy drinks on competition days.
Itinerary
8:45am Arrive at Buchanan
9:00am Rehearsal at Buchanan
11:00am Run Through
11:15am Rehearsal Ends/Load the truck.
12:15pm Dismissed for the afternoon (based on when the truck is loaded). Make sure you eat a good lunch and drink LOTS of water!
• Break •
Keeping everything the same but the actual time, change everything to 4 hours and 45 minutes earlier
11:15am~11:30am Arrive/Park or Drop Off Time at Lot P20. Meet band parent or staff member and walk over to the truck parking lot. We walk at 11:30am. Do not be late!
11:45am Unload the Truck/Pit Setup/Prop Setup/Clean Drums/Tune Drums/Polish & Clean Instruments.
12:30pm Walk to the stadium in section. Sit together as a band.
12:45pm Watch Redwood HS
1:00pm Watch Madera H.S.
1:15pm Watch Clovis West H.S. (back to the truck when CW is done)
1:30pm Change into Full Uniform/Get ready for show/Section Time
2:00pm Ready for Warm Up • Section Leaders get water (pop tops) for sections. NOT water jugs.
2:05pm Walk to Warm Up
2:15pm Warm Up (Area G)
2:35pm Pit Parents Report to Pit Warm-Up (by the truck)
2:45pm Pit push to Gate
3:00pm Pit @ Gate/Band to Gate/Warm-Up Ends
3:05pm Band @ Gate
3:15pm Performance
3:30pm Push all equipment back to the truck. Change quickly & load all instruments that go on shelves (not the pit).
4:00pm Back to the Stadium. Walk by sections in twos with your water jug.
4:20pm Watch Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band
4:40pm Awards Ceremony
5:00pm Back to the truck/Finish Loading/Snack
5:45pm Dismissed from Fresno State.
