The Bourbon County High School Marching Band capped off a standout Saturday at Garrard County High School, securing fourth place overall in a competitive 10-band championship finals at the annual Garrard County High School Band Contest.
After earning second place in a tightly contested Class AAA preliminary flight earlier in the afternoon, the Marching Colonels returned under the stadium lights for an 8:30 p.m. finals run. Stepping off with precision and renewed energy, Bourbon County surged forward in the evening rankings, outscoring Class AAA prelims winner Russell County to solidify a top-four finish behind champion Anderson County, runner-up George Rogers Clark, and third-place Harrison County.
Afternoon Preliminaries: Class AAA Showdown
Bourbon County went toe-to-toe with five other competitive Class AAA ensembles during Saturday afternoon’s preliminary flight, securing a runner-up class finish and advancing comfortably into the evening finals.
| Placement | School | Caption Honors |
| 1st | Russell County HS | Best Percussion |
| 2nd | Bourbon County HS | — |
| 3rd | Boyle County HS | — |
| 4th | Mercer County HS | Best Color Guard |
| 5th | Madison Southern HS | — |
| 6th | South Laurel HS | — |
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra MillerEvening Finals: Colonels Surge into the Top Four
Saturday evening’s championship round brought together the top 10 scoring programs from across all preliminary classes. Anderson County claimed the Grand Championship title along with honors for Best Effect and Best Percussion, while Class AAAAA power George Rogers Clark captured overall runner-up alongside Best Music and Best Color Guard awards.
Bourbon County delivered one of the defining performances of the night, leaping past Russell County to take fourth overall and finish as the highest-placing Class AAA ensemble in the finals field.
Championship Finals Results
| Placement | School | Caption Honors |
| 1st | Anderson County HS | Grand Champion, Best Effect, Best Percussion |
| 2nd | George Rogers Clark HS | Overall Music, Best Color Guard |
| 3rd | Harrison County HS | — |
| 4th | Bourbon County HS | — |
| 5th | Russell County HS | Visual Award |
| 6th | Estill County HS | — |
| 7th | Woodford County HS | — |
| 8th | Boyle County HS | — |
| 9th | Mercer County HS | — |
| 10th | Madison Southern HS | — |
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra Miller
Source: Myra MillerNext Stop: Bands of America Kentucky Regional
Following their strong showing in Lancaster, the Marching Colonels will transition to the national circuit as they travel to the Bands of America (BOA) Kentucky Regional Championship on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Held at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium at the University of Louisville, the regional contest will feature premier marching arts programs from across Kentucky and the greater Midwest. Bourbon County will look to carry the momentum from Saturday’s top-four finish into Louisville before returning home to host the annual Bourbon County Invitational on October 10.