Lakota West Bands Calendar LW Marching Firebirds (Football Band)

FB-Football Band Camp

Main Campus
Monday, July 27, 2026, 8am – 5pm

All Football Band and Guard
Today's Theme:
Lunch Provided:
Volunteers:

FB-DCI Show in Mason

Mason High School
Monday, July 27, 2026, 5:45 – 11:45pm

FB Band to attend
CB Band to Attend
Times are appx
Busses will transport students to show in Mason and back to Main Campus.

DCI - https://www.dci.org/events/2026-summer-music-games-in-cincinnati/

Additional Event Information here once updated for 2026: drumcorpsshow.com

FB-Football Band Camp

Main Campus
Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 8am – 5pm

All Football Band and Guard
Today's Theme:
Lunch Provided:
Volunteers:

FB-Football Band Camp

Main Campus
Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 8am – 5pm

All Football Band and Guard
Today's Theme:
Lunch Provided:
Volunteers:

FB-Section Dinners with Competitive Band

Main Campus/Section Dinner Locations
Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 6 – 8pm

All Football Band and Guard
Section DInners - determined by section

FB-Football Band Camp

Main Campus
Thursday, July 30, 2026, 8am – 5pm

All Football Band and Guard
Today's Theme:
Lunch Provided:
Volunteers:

Pool Party (both CB and FB)

Mason Pool
6249 Mason Montgomery Rd
Mason, Ohio 45040
Thursday, July 30, 2026, 7:30 – 10pm

Date is confirmed.
Waiver MUST be completed and submitted online before event.
https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/e3vrzeff2fswjfb7badpza/web/
There is no admission cost for students.
Parents to provide transportation to and from Mason Pool.
Parent pickup at appx 10pm - at Mason Pool.

FB-Football Band Camp

Main Campus
Friday, July 31, 2026, 8am – 5pm

All Football Band and Guard
Today's Theme:
Lunch Provided:
Volunteers:

Snacks and Dessert Donations for Volleyball Tournament

West Main
Friday, July 31, 2026, 6 – 8:30pm

Snacks and desserts provided by students/families (volleyball practice time)

FB-Volleyball Tournament: Staff vs Students

West Main Gym
Friday, July 31, 2026, 7 – 10pm

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 1 – 9pm

All Football Band and Guard

FB- Community Preview Show

Main Campus
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 8 – 9pm

This performance is free and open to the public.
Parents and Students- Please feel free to share any of these videos with each other and family members. However, please don’t post any of these videos in any public searchable spaces. Small short clips on social media are ok but large scale looks at the show and longer videos are not allowed. This is because of copyright issues and making sure that we represent our performances the best way that we can.
*Video will be shared by directors after the performance has been completed.

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

Main Campus Students: You get released from 7th Bell at 3:00pm and practice starts at 3:30pm. Bring a change of clothes if necessary and get ready on the field ASAP.

Upbeat Meeting

Main Campus Band Room
Thursday, August 20, 2026, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Upbeat Web Page

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Friday, August 21, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

FB-Football Game ( vs St X )

West Main Stadium
Friday, August 21, 2026, 5 – 10pm

Refer to Directors' 2026 Marching Firebirds Band Weekly Memo Google Doc for schedule and game expectations.

Uniform questions? - look for 'Wearing the Uniform" and "Items to pack in your Red Bag" on this page on our website - https://lakotawestbands.org/about/marching-firebirds/marching-band-uniforms/

Tag Day Annual Fundraiser

Start at West Main Theater at 9am
Saturday, August 22, 2026, 9am – 2pm

This is our one and only full band fundraiser for the year. It is imperative that every family help out so that we can continue to offer the opportunities and experiences that the students have become accustomed to for decades of history.

Who is involved: All students involved in any curricular or extra curricular band at Lakota West. Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band- Competitive and Football.

When is it:   This Saturday, August 22nd. Students should meet in the Lakota West Theater at 9am. Groups all end at slightly different times but generally students will be back to Lakota West High School around 2pm in the afternoon.

Why is this necessary?: All of the students in our program benefit from the funds that are raised by this fundraiser. The Lakota West Upbeat club provides numerous services to the students that are considered above and beyond a normal band experience. Guest Conductors, clinicians, guest artists, specific and custom uniforms, provided meals, solo and ensemble support, instrument transportation vehicles, and many many more things are good examples of upbeat club support. The school district and fees support the ordinary operation of the classes, but for our program to remain one of the best in the entire country other funds are needed to support the student experience in all band classes.

How does it work: Groups of 4 students are paired together and they are transported on pre-selected routes around town by a volunteer adult driver. The students will go to each house on the route in groups of 2 and read a script letting the homeowner know about the Lakota West Band. Students will never enter a home or be by themselves while canvasing the community.. The students are not soliciting or selling anything they just say they are with the Lakota West Band program and we hope you can make a donation to help our students and programs. Community members are able to give any amount of money that they would like. There is a lot of pride in the community connected to our band program. In years past the fundraiser has raised around $30,000! That works out to about $75 per student. Our biggest challenge is covering the enormous amount of ground in the Lakota West District. The more students we have the more money we will raise. We need every student there to make this a success.

Why is it called Tag Day?: Every house in the community will get a door hanger "tag" that has a schedule of performances that are available for the public to come and see the work the students are doing. If no one is home we will leave the "tag" on their door which also has information on how to donate if we missed them.

What if my student can't make it?: We understand that availability can be a problem for some students. This is the only fundraiser that we do for the entire program for the year. We have a few others specific to marching band, but this will be the only one for the overall program. On average each student who participates brings in around $100 for their day. We would appreciate students that can't make it donate $ in equal to their lost revenue. Donations can be brought to the directors or made electronically online. lakotawestbands.org…

How can I help as a Parent?: One of the best ways to get involved with our program is to volunteer as a parent driver. Hanging out with the group of 4 band students for the day is super fun and we can usually pair you with your own kid..... or not if that's what you would prefer! The driver just stays in the vehicle keeps an eye on the students and keeps the collected money safe so the students don't have to walk around with it. At the end of the route drivers return to West band room with the students and turn in the money to the Upbeat Club Officers. Follow this link if you would like to help out!
Drive a group!!!!

All Band Students - Concert and Marching Band Participate

Appx 100 Parent Drivers needed for groups of 3-4 students.

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

Main Campus Students: You get released from 7th Bell at 3:00pm and practice starts at 3:30pm. Bring a change of clothes if necessary and get ready on the field ASAP.

FB-Football Game (vs. East)

West Main Stadium
Friday, August 28, 2026, 5 – 10pm

Refer to Directors' 2026 Marching Firebirds Band Weekly Memo Google Doc for schedule and game expectations.

Uniform questions? - look for 'Wearing the Uniform" and "Items to pack in your Red Bag" on this page on our website - https://lakotawestbands.org/about/marching-firebirds/marching-band-uniforms/

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

Main Campus Students: You get released from 7th Bell at 3:00pm and practice starts at 3:30pm. Bring a change of clothes if necessary and get ready on the field ASAP.

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

Main Campus Students: You get released from 7th Bell at 3:00pm and practice starts at 3:30pm. Bring a change of clothes if necessary and get ready on the field ASAP.

FB-Band Night for 8th graders

West Main Campus
Friday, September 11, 2026, 4 – 10pm

Friday- Lakota West Band Night (Ridge and Plains Students Join Us)

FB-Football Game

West Main Stadium
Friday, September 11, 2026, 5 – 10pm

Refer to Directors' 2026 Marching Firebirds Band Weekly Memo Google Doc for schedule and game expectations.

Uniform questions? - look for 'Wearing the Uniform" and "Items to pack in your Red Bag" on this page on our website - https://lakotawestbands.org/about/marching-firebirds/marching-band-uniforms/

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

Main Campus Students: You get released from 7th Bell at 3:00pm and practice starts at 3:30pm. Bring a change of clothes if necessary and get ready on the field ASAP.

Upbeat Meeting

Main Campus Band Room
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Upbeat Web Page

FB-MSBA Competition-Lakota West Invitational

West Main
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 4 – 9:30pm

Below is information from 2025, but should be similar for 2026

ALL Parking/ Drop off for this day needs to be along the tree line closest to Jags on the east side of the Lakota West property. All other parking areas are needed to facilitate the show. Drop off only along the trees and any parked car for volunteers or students must be parked along the tree line. No Exceptions.

Exhibition Performance warm-up and performance schedule -

All available information about the Invitational is posted on our website here - https://lakotawestbands.org/invitational/

Football band members are welcome to stay for the rest of the show- We will give football band members wrist bands at this time if you would like to stay for the rest of the show. It’s very similar to the DCI show with groups performing the rest of the night. Concessions, warmup and so on. Make sure you are a good audience member if you stay. Other paying customers are there to hear the band’s performances so be aware and attentive if you are in the stands.

*Parents who want to watch the performance will need to purchase a ticket to watch the show. Or we can always use further volunteers for the event.

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

Main Campus Students: You get released from 7th Bell at 3:00pm and practice starts at 3:30pm. Bring a change of clothes if necessary and get ready on the field ASAP.

FB-Football Game (Homecoming)

West Main Stadium
Friday, September 25, 2026, 5 – 10pm

Refer to Directors' 2026 Marching Firebirds Band Weekly Memo Google Doc for schedule and game expectations.

Uniform questions? - look for 'Wearing the Uniform" and "Items to pack in your Red Bag" on this page on our website - https://lakotawestbands.org/about/marching-firebirds/marching-band-uniforms/

Homecoming

Saturday, September 26, 2026, 8 – 11pm

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

Main Campus Students: You get released from 7th Bell at 3:00pm and practice starts at 3:30pm. Bring a change of clothes if necessary and get ready on the field ASAP.

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

Main Campus Students: You get released from 7th Bell at 3:00pm and practice starts at 3:30pm. Bring a change of clothes if necessary and get ready on the field ASAP.

FB-Football Game ( vs Colerain )

West Main Stadium
Friday, October 9, 2026, 5 – 10pm

Refer to Directors' 2026 Marching Firebirds Band Weekly Memo Google Doc for schedule and game expectations.

Uniform questions? - look for 'Wearing the Uniform" and "Items to pack in your Red Bag" on this page on our website - https://lakotawestbands.org/about/marching-firebirds/marching-band-uniforms/

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

West Main
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 6 – 9pm

FB-Senior Night and Preview Show

West Main Stadium
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 8 – 9pm

See DIrector's 2026 Marching Firebirds Band Weekly Memo for additional information.
8pm Performance
Senior Night Schedule:

Upbeat Meeting

Main Campus Band Room
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Upbeat Web Page

FB-Marching Band Rehearsal

Main Campus
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 3:30 – 5pm

Plains Students transportation -
Ridge Students transportation -
Freshman: There is an activity bus that will take you from one building to the other. The details of this bus change slightly year to year so we’ll let you know what the number is and where you will find once class begins. Generally the bus leaves slightly after the regular bus leave time and will bring you directly to West Main in plenty of time to be ready for rehearsal.

Main Campus Students: You get released from 7th Bell at 3:00pm and practice starts at 3:30pm. Bring a change of clothes if necessary and get ready on the field ASAP.

FB-MSBA Competition - Miamisburg

Saturday, October 24, 2026, 12 – 10pm

Exhibition Performance
Schedule:

Students to travel via busses to and from competition.

FB-Potential Playoff Football Game

West Main Stadium
Friday, November 6, 2026, 5 – 10pm

FB-Marching Band Concert

West Main Gym
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 7:30 – 8:30pm

See DIrectors' 2026 Marching Firebirds Band Weekly Memo

Upbeat Meeting

Main Campus Band Room
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Upbeat Web Page

Lakota West Community Swing Dance

West Main Campus Cafe
Friday, December 4, 2026, 6 – 10pm

Open to all students and community!

Performances by all high school groups as well as Ridge and Plains 8th grade jazz bands!

Tickets and more info available online - link added here
Volunteers needed - link added here
Please sign up to donate food here for the many hungry students! Link added here -
Schedule: - added here