In its 40th year, the East Georgia Marching Band Festival and Championship at Statesboro High School has signed up 22 competitive bands – the most in years. The SHS Marching Blue Devils and the Southern Pride of Georgia Southern University are also scheduled to deliver exhibition performances near the end of a very full day Saturday, bringing the total to 24 performances. The gate at the high school’s Womack Field football stadium will open at 9:30 a.m., and the awards ceremony is slated for 9 p.m., said SHS Marching Band Director Lee Collins.