VALDOSTA — Valdosta High School Marchin’ Cats offered regional bands the chance to strut their stuff Tuesday evening with the Seventh Annual Southern Open.

The Southern Open Marching Band Exhibition allowed South Georgia bands a chance to present their shows without the pressure of competing against one another, according to organizers.

Though they did not compete for trophies or a grand championship, an expert panel offered band directors thoughts on each performance, according to Michael Thomas, VHS Marchin’ Cats band director. The comments can help a band improve its shows or sharpen its edge for the coming competitions scheduled throughout October.

The 2017 Southern Open bands were Valdosta High School Marchin’ Cats, Lowndes High School Georgia Bridgemen, Fitzgerald High School Marching Canes, Lanier County High School Marching Bulldogs, Cook High School Marching Hornets, Thomasville High School Marching Bulldogs, Irwin County High School Marching Big Red, Berrien County High School Rebel Regiment, Tift County High School, Blue Devil Brigade. All performed at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

Valdosta State University Blazin’ Brigade presented a special exhibition performance.

Bands strut their stuff