No one can resist the lure of a marching band and Drums at Appletime® continues as one of Murphysboro Apple Festival's most popular events, drawing huge crowds year after year.
From its inception, featuring nationally touring Drum Corps like the Black Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, to today, showcasing the region's most talented high school marching bands, the level of competition has not changed!
The Grand Parade is just a taste of the level of performance and musicianship these students possess - Drums at Appletime® is where they really shine!
Murphysboro's own Crimson Express began hosting in 1990 and has gone on to compete and win many major competitions throughout the United States and Canada. They continue to welcome
marching bands from the area and beyond to this annual event and feature the talents of their members in exhibition at the end of the night.
Concessions and souvenirs will be available to purchase around the east (home) bleachers.
WHERE: Murphysboro High School's E.L. 'Doc' Bencini Field
WHEN: Gates and concessions open at 3:30 PM; Introductions start at 4:15 PM
EVENT CHAIRS: Kirk Caskey, Peggy Reiman, Nancy Caskey, Sarah Cunningham, Jennie Snyder, Nick Blew, Sharon Fry and Joe Fry
HOSTED BY: Crimson Express & Company and the Murphysboro High School Crimson Express with Director of Bands, Mr. Nick Williams
Collected at the Gate - Cash or Card
$10 for adults
$5 for students
Children 5 and under are free.
We continue to grow year after year and this year is no exception! We are always in need of volunteers for a variety of tasks from selling tickets to hosting in the hospitality room. If you can volunteer for any length of time during the event, please contact the Drums at Appletime Committee - drumsatappletime@gmail.com
Click below to register online via Google Forms (you will be taken to a new website)
2025 Drums at Appletime® Online Registration
Acceptance into Drums at Appletime will be determined by Application and Payment Dates.
For questions, please email our committee chairs - drumsatappletime@gmail.com
The Murphysboro Apple Festival has implemented enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures and has added additional handwashing stations and sanitizing stations throughout the Festival grounds. Please follow all recommended guidelines while attending the Festival in order to keep it fun and safe for everyone!