Museum Hosting Reunion of the 1973 Jasper High School Marching Wildcats

Jasper- The Dubois County Museum will host members of the 1973 Jasper High School State Marching Band Champions on Saturday, August 5, for an open house from 1-4:00 p.m. at the museum.  

The reunion will feature photos of the year and possibly another glimpse at that four foot tall state champion trophy. The museum is also open for the opportunity to view the exhibits. Refreshments will be served. 

Admission to the museum will be charged. Fees are $5 per adult, $3 per high school students, $2 per middle and elementary students and those 4 years and younger are free.  Those with museum memberships are admitted free.  The museum is open till 4:00 p.m. on this day.

The Jasper Wildcat band began their march to the first Indiana State Marching Band Championship in early June of 1973.  One hundred eighty-two members assembled under the direction of Donald V. Gamble and James L. Holler to learn the new program and introduce the fifty-nine freshmen bandsmen to the work and precision required of a marching band. Stories could be shared on August 5, 2023 of the band camp and the work involved. 

The State Fair in August offered the band their first chance to present their show. The band performed on the fairground’s dirt track and were timed as competitions are today.  They placed 11th.  They had hoped to compete with the yearly favorites like Anderson Indians and several Indianapolis schools.  They regrouped and came back and won the Salem, IN contest in October.  The band then travelled to competition on October 20, 1973 at Indianapolis Northwest High School against seven other top bands who all received superior ratings at their regional competitions.  The “J” writers stated “that with a bright fanfare and a bold ending”, the Marching Wildcats were awarded first place in the contest.  “After much celebration and official ceremonies, the State Champions settled down to participate in a very successful concert season” stated the writers of the “J” yearbook.

The museum will display for the Strassenfest the complete set of Strassenfest mugs, booklets and buttons at the museum.  Museum hours for Strassenfest are 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Yes, the museum will be open on Sunday, August 6.