Over 3,000 collegiate musicians will turn J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown into the World’s Biggest Halftime Show, as the Collegiate Marching Band Festival returns for its 22nd annual edition Oct. 1.

The Collegiate Marching Band Festival is a one-of-a-kind festival in the country featuring college marching bands performing for one another, parents and enthusiasts of the marching band activity. The 2016 festival brings 20 college and university bands from throughout the mid-atlantic region together for an afternoon of music, marching and entertainment.

“We have been fortunate to create an event over the past 21 years that has become a tradition for the bands and their alumni and parents,” John Villella, president of Vivace Productions, the organizers of the event said. “This year we are proud to celebrate this unique musical event with 20 great bands from throughout the East, this year welcoming bands from Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, West Virginia and Connecticut.”

Performing during the Collegiate Marching Band Festival will be the marching bands from Lock Haven University, Moravian College, Millersville University, Marist College, Wilkes University, California University (PA), Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg University, Gettysburg College, Boston University, Shepherd University, Kutztown University, Morgan State University, Shippensburg University, University of New Haven, Towson University, Slippery Rock University, University of Delaware, University of Massachusetts and West Chester University,

A new feature at this year’s event will be the Wells Fargo College Fair featuring information and representatives from a majority of the participating schools. In addition, Wells Fargo will be on hand providing an opportunity for students and parents to interact with representatives from their educational finance program and receive materials on the journey to college.

The 22nd annual Collegiate Marching Band Festival is sponsored by DeMoulin Uniforms, the United Wells Fargo and the Yamaha Corporation of America.

The festival begins noon Oct. 1. Gates open 11 a.m. Admission to the festival is discounted for students and senior citizens in advance and higher priced at the box office the day of the event.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 610-431-3311 or visit vivaceproductions.com.