By John Chambless
Staff Writer

The winning ways of the Unionville High School Marching Band continued in spectacular fashion to usher in the new year, with first-place awards in the Class A division of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Marching Band Contest of Champions.

The band won first place overall, and as the Grand Champion band, they performed their show during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl pregame show on Jan. 2 in Jacksonville, Fla. They performed again at halftime with nine other bands.

Unionville swept all the categories in the marching band competition, including first place in high percussion, color guard, drum major, music, visuals and effect. They also won a $10,000 cash prize for being the overall winner.

The band returned to Unionville with a fire truck escort on the night of Jan. 3.