The Sunset Festival of Bands is being televised for the first time in its six-year history, thanks to Pierce County TV.

The high school marching band demonstration was held Oct. 25 at Sumner High School’s Sunset Stadium. Hosted by Sumner High, the nine participating bands each performed twice before a panel of judges. Blue Thunder, the high-energy drum line that performs at Seattle Seahawks games, entertained as a special guest.

Participating schools were:

– Bonney Lake High School.

– East Valley High School in Spokane Valley.

– Enumclaw High School.

– Mountainview High School in Auburn.

– Sultan High School.

– Chimacum High School.

– Eisenhower High School in Yakima.

– Klahowya High School in Silverdale.

– Sumner High School.

The 90-minute television program – produced by PCTV – airs on the county channel Mondays at 4 p.m., Tuesdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. through December. The Sunset Festival of Bands can also be viewed on the PCTV website, its YouTube channel and on the PCTV mobile app.

DVD and Blu-ray copies of the program can be purchased from PCTV for $35 each. PCTV utilized five cameras, five microphones and a crew of 10 individuals – which included three students from Bates Technical College – to record the 2014 Sunset Festival of Bands. PCTV is sharing the program with other community television channels around the state.

“Besides providing transparency for local governments, Pierce County TV does a great job of showcasing the people, places and events that make our community special,” said Pierce County Councilmember Stan Flemming, who serves as president of the Rainier Communications Commission, which governs the channel on behalf of seven member jurisdictions. “I am proud of the PCTV staff’s initiative to give us all the opportunity to watch these young musicians at their best.”