NORWICH – Fans of the Norwich Purple Tornado Marching Band will have one final chance to see the band perform at Ulrich Stadium this season. The school will host its annual Fall Festival of Bands competition Saturday.

“We have a great tradition here,” said Chris Calhoun, the field band’s assistant director. “I always love to get in front of the home crowd.”

Football fans have gotten a look at the band’s competitive field show before, when they have performed during half time. This will be the first opportunity to observe them on their home field in true competition mode.

The 54-member group has been practicing for months to perfect their 2008 show, titled “Tales from the Pond.”

According to marching band director Lansing Dimon, the performance, which is just over seven minutes in length, includes music from Cirque de Soleil.

“Every person counts,” said Dimon. “There is not a lot of wiggle room.”

The band has faced challenges this year, with a new director coming on board weeks before school started and several students learning different instruments for the show.