This weekend, thousands of people will make their way to Opp for the annual Little Big Horn band competition. The competition is in its 37th year.

The competition brings the second-largest crowd to Opp each year, just behind the annual  Rattlesnake Rodeo.

Little Big Horn helps bring an economic boost to Opp, and covers most of Opp High School Marching Band’s expenses throughout the year.

“Without Little Big Horn, the band would struggle. It helps pay for uniforms, instrument repairs, and assists with travel costs for the band,” Sherry Bledsoe, head of the Opp Band Boosters, said. “Little Big Horn is a major fundraiser for the band.”

Band Boosters typically net $6,000 in profits, give away some $3,000 in trophies and spend $2,500 on judges.

This year, 29 bands will perform, up from 27 last year. Each band is given roughly 40 minutes of warm up, and a set time to get on and off the field. The classes performing will be 1A through 5A.

Local bands performing include Straughn High School, at 2:45 p.m., and Andalusia High School at 8 p.m.

There will be two exhibition bands: the Ram Corps at 8:40 p.m., and Opp High School at 9 p.m. The awards ceremony will begin at 9:15 p.m.