Seven bands, from Rangiora, Christchurch, Timaru and Ashburton will take part in the festival, which begins with a street march at 12.30pm.
Band festival spokesman Derrick Cullimore said the Ashburton band reformed several years ago and had gone from strength to strength with 16 pipers, including several learners.
"We had nothing and all of a sudden we have got a good lot of pipers and seven drummers. It is all going very well."
The band’s drum major is Ian Wills and its pipe major Peter Doak.
Mr Cullimore, a former drum major, said the street march was a feature of the festival, though bands were only judged on their musical performance.
The march takes about 30 minutes, with bands starting from Elizabeth Street and ending on Philip Street. They then head into the nearby domain picnic area to play sets and medleys.
Mr Cullimore said all seven bands were grade 4 bands and would be competing for a trophy.
The Ashburton band practises at its hall on Creek Road on Mondays and Thursdays.
