The East Lake
Classic
An FMBC regional marching band invitational, hosted by East Lake in Tarpon Springs. Friendly, well-organized, and famously known as "the competition with the bake sale."
Just want to come watch? Tickets →An FMBC regional marching band invitational, hosted by East Lake in Tarpon Springs. Friendly, well-organized, and famously known as "the competition with the bake sale."
Just want to come watch? Tickets →The East Lake Classic is the Silver Sound's annual host event — an FMBC regional marching band invitational that's run for twenty-two consecutive years. It's the boosters' largest single-day fundraiser and the reason the program's fair-share fees stay reasonable for every East Lake family.
We host bands from across Pinellas County and beyond — Class 1A through 5A under FMBC sizing rules. Past fields have brought programs from Tampa, Tallahassee, Davenport, and farther afield. Every band gets a real adjudication, a printed program, an aerial video of their performance, and the kind of friendly, well-run hospitality that has earned the Classic a reputation directors actually look forward to.
And then there's the bake sale. We're known as "the competition with the bake sale" — band families turn out a serious spread of homemade goods alongside a full concession stand, and proceeds keep instructors employed, instruments repaired, and the program running through the next year. It's a homegrown event, well-organized, and the kind of community Saturday people remember.
A single ticket gets you all-day access to every class. Free parking. Cards accepted at the booth.
All-day access, all classes. The standard adult ticket.
Bring a school ID. K–12 students from any school qualify.
Always free — no ticket needed.
Director registration is open for the 2026 Classic. Reach out for a registration packet, class confirmation, and the host-side info you'll need to plan the day.
Email Carolina Jantac, our Booster President and Event Coordinator, to request the registration packet, confirm your class, and arrange payment.
Or talk logistics with our Classic Coordinator, Amy Thacker:
Classic@EastLakeBand.com
Payment assistance: Accounting@EastLakeBand.com
All students on the field count: winds, percussion, auxiliary, color guard, and drum majors.
Programs go to the printer 14 days prior to the event. Submit your band info early — director name, staff, drum majors, officers, show name, and program accomplishments — so it lands in the printed book.
Buses unload at the band entrance with a scheduled warm-up window for each program. Hospitality, judges' lounge, and student lounge are all on-site. Awards run at the close of the day. Specific run-of-show is published two weeks before the event once the field is finalized.
Carolina Jantac handles registration and the booster-side coordination. Amy Thacker is your Classic Coordinator on day-of logistics. Mr. Black runs the music side and is reachable directly for questions about the venue or scheduling.
Twenty-two years of running this event has taught us a few things. We start on time. We feed your kids. The judges sheets are detailed. The hospitality is real. And the bake sale is genuinely good.
The Classic exists because local businesses keep the band program funded. Reach out to add your name.






If you can only volunteer one day this year, this is the day. Wristband checkpoints, concessions, parking, hospitality — everyone has a role.
Drop a tray at the bake sale table the morning of. Family recipes welcome.
Sign up to bake →Past Classic programs and recap photos.
Twenty-two years of bands, bake sales, and Saturday afternoons in Tarpon Springs. Bring your band. Bring your family. We'll save you a seat — and a brownie.