Teams on the march

Marchers from throughout the country line up and sing the national anthem at the official opening of the Marching New Zealand Championships at the Edgar Centre, Dunedin, yesterday afternoon.

The national event is hosted by Marching Otago and viewing by spectators was free yesterday. Forty-nine teams from throughout the country are expected to compete in the championships, which are the main event of the marching season, and continue today with a qualifying march.

The bowl, plate and championship marches would be held tomorrow, organisers said.