KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Gateway Highsteppers is hosting its annual Drill and Drumline Competition this weekend on the Kansas City Kansas Community College campus.
The event is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in the KCKCC Field House, and admission is $8. The doors open at 5 p.m. This is the 14th year the Gateway Highsteppers has hosted the event.
Among this year’s competitors are the KC Marching Falcons, the T-Town Steppers, the Michigan City Soul Steppers, the KC Marching Cobras, the Omaha Marching Knights, the Omaha Marching Panthers and the Omaha Marching Dragons.
Teams will be competing for cash prizes, which will be awarded to the those that place in the top three. Other participants will receive a trophy. More than 400 children between five and 18-years-old will be competing.
“This is a great event because it entertains children and adults of all ages,” said La Veda Davis, founder and director of the Gateway Highsteppers. “Even for little boys, you can see the enthusiasm in their face when they hit those drums. Everyone can enjoy the competition because we have different varieties of drill. It’s entertaining from beginning to end.”
The Gateway Highsteppers were founded in 1998 and are under the direction of Davis and Telicia Walton. Members must be five to 18-years-old, maintain a “C” average in school and have a good attitude.
“Every year we have such a big crowd,” Davis said. “It is really a family event because everyone can enjoy the routines and have a great time.”