Marching to Victory: Bourbon County Shines at Pulaski County Invitational

The Pulaski County Invitational stands as a respected and long-standing event in the Kentucky marching band circuit, known for bringing together some of the state’s top high school ensembles for a day of spirited competition and performance. This annual event, held at Pulaski County High School, has a rich history of showcasing musical and visual excellence, and today’s competition was no different, with bands from across the region gathering to perform for a chance to advance to the finals and earn top honors.

The Bourbon County High School Marching Colonels, under the direction of Eric Hale, brought their passion and precision to the Pulaski County Invitational today. At 3:45 PM, led by Field Commander Kar Rasmussen, the band delivered a captivating performance of their 2025 show, “Motif,” which included exciting new elements since their last performance. For their efforts, the band earned Best Percussion and Best Color Guard in Class AAAA, as well as a 1st place finish in class. The show’s theme, which explores the development and repetition of musical and visual ideas, left a lasting impression on the audience and judges alike. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation, and the hard work of every student was on full display as they took the field.

The Marching Colonels’ performance was a testament to the dedication of every student, director, and volunteer who makes this program a success. Their intricate drill movements, which beautifully illustrated the show’s theme, were executed with a high degree of synchronicity and finesse. The powerful and emotive musicality of “Motif” filled the stadium, with each section of the band contributing to the show’s narrative. The audience cheered for every note and every step, celebrating the students’ commitment to their craft.

The daytime prelims competition served as a qualifier for the finals later in the evening, with the top-scoring bands from all classes advancing for a final, high-stakes performance. Unlike prelims, which are scored by class, the finals are a head-to-head battle where bands compete for overall Grand Champion. This format emphasizes the importance of consistency and growth throughout the day. The Marching Colonels’ strong prelims performance secured their spot among the elite groups, giving them another chance to perform their “Motif” show and demonstrate their improvements. They took the field for their finals performance at 7:45 PM.

In a thrilling finale to the Pulaski County Invitational, the Marching Colonels delivered a breathtaking performance that earned them a sweep of the top honors. Their show, “Motif,” was recognized with awards for Best Overall Percussion, Best Overall Color Guard, Best Overall Music, Best Overall Visuals, and Best Overall Effect. These awards culminated in the ultimate honor of being named Grand Champion of the entire competition.

The strong performance today follows a successful start to their 2025 season at the Dunbar Invitational the previous week. Under the renewed leadership of Eric Hale, the Marching Colonels secured a decisive Class AAAA win and were named Reserve Grand Champions, placing second only to Lafayette High School by a narrow margin. They also took home Best Color Guard and Best Percussion in class, along with Best Overall Musical Performance in finals. The band’s strong start and continued improvements at each competition show they are a premier marching ensemble, with a bright season ahead. They capped off their day with a long-standing tradition of celebrating their finals performance with cookies and milk, a sweet end to a successful day.