Some 20 bands will strike a tune at the 34th annual Little Big Horn marching band competition this weekend.

The competition brings a large crowd to Opp each year, second only to the spring Rattlesnake Rodeo weekend.

More than 4,000 people are expected to make their way to Channell-Lee Stadium and bring with them a stream of sales tax revenue and much-needed business for the city.

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” band director Randy Hughey said. “We are the longest-running competition in the Southeast. We have never failed to make a date.”

Hughey said the competition serves as a big economic boost to the city and also provides publicity to the city.

Bands and patrons come to Opp and purchase gas, eat at restaurants and some even spend the night.

Money raised goes to provide transportation, uniforms, instruments and other necessities for the band program.

The competition will kick off at noon with Kinston High School, Class A band.

Also representing Class A will be Rocky Bayou Christian School; Florala High School, who will play at 12:30 p.m., Sweetwater High School; Red Level High School, who will play at 1:15 p.m.; Walton Senior High School and Samson High School.

In Class AA, Citronelle High School, Zion Chapel High School, Elba High School, Flomaton High School, Straughn High School, who will play at 3:30 p.m.; Satsuma High School, Luverne High School and Hillcrest High School will take the field.

Bands will be allotted a supper break from 4:30 p.m., until 6 p.m., before the upper classes take the field.

T.R. Miller High School will kick off the evening, followed by Charles Henderson and Andalusia High School, who will take the field at 6:40 p.m.

Daleville High School and Mary G. Montgomery will round out the competition.

At 8:20 p.m., Opp High School will play an exhibition, followed by the Huntingdon College band.

Awards will be presented at 9 p.m., with the Fan’s Favorite award being in honor of Breonia Parks, who lost her battle with rhabdomyosarcoma on Friday.

Parks was an integral member of the OHS color guard.

Among the awards presented each year, include: Most Entertaining Band, best soloist, director’s award, Mallory Award, and best in class awards.

Admission to the event is $6, which includes an armband.

“We will also have T-shirts and souvenirs and concessions,” Hughey said.