NEW PARIS — National Trail’s Gathering of the Pans will be held on Saturday, March 7, starting at 7 p.m. The steel band festival will feature six bands this year and have opportunities for the community to have a fun night supporting National Trail’s program.

Admission is $6 general admission, students and senior citizens $5, or $20 per family of four or more. The festival will be located at National Trail High School gym and concessions will be open.

According to Judy Jordan, NT Steel Band Director, music of all types will be played during the festival. Clinicians are able to come in and work with the students before the festival. The six bands involved have even been working on music to perform together for their two mass band tunes. The Saturday of the festival, the bands will have an hour to practice their mass tunes with the clinicians.

“I love getting all of the different groups together. It is a great night of steel band music,” she said. “It’s going to be entertaining, fun, and you’re supporting the community. Plus, you get to see what else is out there! It’s just fun.”

The other bands do pay $250 to perform in the festival, but that helps pay for the clinicians. The groups essentially pay their clinician fees and have the opportunity to work with professionals before hand.

The funds raised from admission goes back to the National Trail Steel Band program to buy additional instruments or other costs associated with the program, including trips and competitions.

According to Jordan, attendees at Gathering of the Pans are helping support the National Trail Steel Band program and the students who participate.

“The kids enjoy working and learning the history of Steel Band. Our kids will teach the other kids. I think they just like making music — it’s fun! How can you sit there and listening to it [without having fun] — it’s like being on an island,” she said. “They get to come together and show off their talents.”