EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- Twenty-three high-school marching bands will compete in the 31st annual March Fest this weekend. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 12 at Socorro ISD's Students Activities Complex (SAC 1). Gates open at 8 a.m. Preliminary competition is scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m. Finals are slated to start at 5:30 p.m., and the awards ceremony will be at 9:30 p.m. Bands in Class A, B and C will perform throughout the day; Bands will perform in front of professional judges from around the country based on a national competition standard with a preliminary/finals format, Socorro ISD said in a news release. Bands from Anthony, Clint, El Paso, Fabens, San Elizario, Socorro and Ysleta school districts will compete. March Fest is open to the public. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased online at www.sisd.net/page/tickets.