The Western Alamance HS JROTC Color Guard of Haw River (Post 427) participates in the National Color Guard Contest at the 104th National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Photo by Hilary Ott/The American Legion)

Register for convention color guard, band contests

American Legion bands and color guards can apply to compete at the 105th National Convention in New Orleans.

The National Color Guard Contest will take place Friday, Aug. 23, at 4 p.m. in Hall D, 1st Floor of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with Newport Harbor Post 291 of Newport Beach, Calif., defending its title as champion. There are five classes of competition: Advancing/Retiring Colors, Military, Military-Open, Open and JROTC Drill. To be considered for the National Commander’s Color Guard, units must compete in either Military or Military-Open and Advancing/Retiring Colors. Units can represent any part of the Legion Family or have a combination of members in the unit. Applications are due by July 26.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, the American Legion National Concert Band Contest will kick off at 1 p.m. in the New Orleans Theater on the second floor of the convention center. The event includes the Concert Band and Exhibition Concert Band classes. Applications are due April 26. All contest applications are available at legion.org/convention/contests.