Zach named North Iowa Band Festival Grand Marshal, other award winners announced

MASON CITY — The Grand Marshal and other honorees have been announced for this year’s North Iowa Band Festival in Mason City:

== Jim Zach has been involved with the festival since 1968 when he marched in the parade for the John Adams Junior High Band. In 1991, he began designing promotional graphics for the festival’s iconic buttons and t-shirts, a role he held for 30 years. Some of the highlights of his journey include being named the Klempnauer Award winner in 2007. He says his most cherished memories lie in the camaraderie and lifelong friendships built through the shared goal of creating an unforgettable event for North Iowa. 

== Trinity Lutheran Church has been named the Dan Klempnauer Award winner. The award is named for Klempnauer, a long-time volunteer and festival supporter, and is intended to honor an unsung hero who volunteers for the festival. Trinity Lutheran Church has been a key part of the Band Festival for decades. Known for its hospitality, the church’s Altar Guild has long provided lunch and refreshments for the Band Festival royalty. Trinity has also served as a staging area and judge location for the parade, with the church’s grounds becoming a gathering place for spectators. 

== The Band Master Award goes to Leon Kuehner. With a remarkable career in music education, Kuehner has dedicated over four decades to shaping the future of young musicians in Iowa. As a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, he has served as president of several esteemed organizations, including the Iowa Bandmasters Association and the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education. As the executive director of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education, Kuehner continues to be a driving force in advancing arts education statewide. 

The North Iowa Band Festival takes place May 22nd through the 26th.