The Dubois County Museum at 2704 N. Newton Street in Jasper is proud to host members of the 1973
Jasper High School State Marching Band Champions on Saturday, August 5, 2023, for an open house from 1-
4:00 p.m. at the museum. The reunion will feature photos of the year and possibly another glimpse at
that impressive four foot tall state champion trophy. Come reminisce on that excellent achievement
from (say it isn’t so) fifty years ago. The museum is also open for the opportunity to view the exhibits in
the largest county museum in the state of Indiana and its over 50,000 square feet of exhibits. Parts of
the museum are air conditioned and offer an opportunity to comfortably gather away from the August
weather. Refreshments will be served.
Admission to the museum will be charged. Fees are $5 per adult, $3 per high school students, $2 per
middle and elementary students and those 4 years and younger are free. Those with museum
memberships are admitted free. The museum is open till 4:00 p.m. on this day.
The Jasper Wildcat band began their march to the first Indiana State Marching Band Championship in
early June of 1973. One hundred eighty-two members assembled under the direction of Donald V.
Gamble and James L. Holler to learn the new program and introduce the fifty-nine freshmen bandsmen
to the work and precision required of a marching band. The 1974 “J” yearbook recalled the annual band
trip to Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Stories could be shared on
August 5, 2023 of the band camp and the work involved, and the times new friends were made and fun
times were had. May also be some mention of the demerit system that kept all striving for excellence.
The State Fair in August offered the band their first chance to present their show. The band performed
on the fairground’s dirt track and were timed as competitions are today. They placed a disappointing
11 th place. They had hoped to compete with the yearly favorites like Anderson Indians and several
Indianapolis schools. They regrouped and came back and won the Salem, IN contest in October. The
band then travelled to competition on October 20, 1973 at Indianapolis Northwest High School against
seven other top bands who all received superior ratings at their regional competitions. The “J” writers
stated “that with a bright fanfare and a bold ending”, the Marching Wildcats were awarded first place in
the contest. “After much celebration and official ceremonies, the State Champions settled down to
participate in a very successful concert season” stated the writers of the “J” yearbook.
The museum will display for the Strassenfest the complete set of Strassenfest mugs, booklets and
buttons at the museum. Museum hours for Strassenfest are 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday and
Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Yes, the museum will be
open on Sunday, August 6, 2023.
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