Sources: Tarpon Springs confirmed for BOA Johnson City and Grand Nationals
General Effect Media can now officially confirm that Tarpon Springs (FL), in addition to the already confirmed BOA Orlando and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, plans on attending BOA Johnson City and then taking the trip to Indianapolis a few weeks later for Grand National Championships.
This is a departure from their earlier plans as it was previously reported that their fall competition schedule would include one of BOA Johnson City or Grand Nationals, but not both.
This brings their total amount of BOA Competitions to 3 this year, and that’s not including local competitions and festivals. They historically have gone to about 3-4 local events, including an exhibition at their own competition, the Outdoor Music Festival. It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see them cut down on that number, but even so, it will be a jam-packed fall for this program.
The competitive field has now changed significantly for both competitions, as Tarpon Springs is the reigning Johnson City champions and will be facing off against Dobyns-Bennett HS (TN), who is one of only three bands to win an overall caption over Tarpon Springs at a Regional or Super Regional since 2013 (the other bands being Wando HS (SC), and Broken Arrow HS (OK)). In their last meeting at the East Tennessee Regional in 2021, Dobyns-Bennett took the Overall Music caption and second place on their way to a top 10 finish at Grand Nationals in 2021.
This also most likely takes a spot away in Grand National Finals from a bubble band as Tarpon Springs hasn’t placed below fifth at Grand Nationals since placing seventh in 2008. Additionally, they have been class champions every year they’ve attended since 2010.
Tarpon Springs will be up against stiff competition at Orlando, as Wando will be coming down for the first time since 2019, and James Bowie HS (Austin, TX) will be sending the Outdoor Performing Ensemble to the southeast for the first time since they came over for BOA Atlanta in 2011.