K-State marching band entertainingly passed time between flight delays to Dublin
The Kansas State marching band played with more enthusiasm than usual as it began traveling around this historic city to play pep songs for purple-clad football fans who are ready to watch the Wildcats play the Iowa State Cyclones at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Aviva Stadium.
Why?
For a few hours, it was unclear when (or if) the band would make it to Ireland.
Many flights from DFW to Dublin were delayed earlier this week, and the K-State marching band was on one of them. That meant “the Pride of Wildcat Land” was stranded in the airport for several hours as it waited to board a flight for Europe.
The marching band was hard to miss as it waited in DFW, because it didn’t just sit around quietly in the terminal.
Even though most of their instruments were away from them in checked luggage, band members decided to put on a mini concert at the airport. Some chanted “take us to Dublin,” others tapped away beats on trash cans and some danced in the terminal. It was a creative way to pass time.
Several took notice. Videos of the performances were quickly shared on social media.
K-State marching band director Frank Tracz is beginning his final season on the job in an unusual way.
But the airport routine worked. After a lengthy delay, the marching band made it on a plane and landed in Dublin on Thursday afternoon in time to play on double-decker buses driving around the city and to make an appearance at a welcome event for the Aer Lingus Classic.
They will next perform at a K-State pep rally on Friday afternoon and then play for all to hear on Saturday at Aviva Stadium.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 9:41 AM.