GENERAL CONTEST INFORMATION
Saturday, October 17, 2026
The Gem of the Hills Marching Invitational is hosted by the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners,
recipients of the 2022 Sudler Trophy, presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.
The contest is held at Burgess-Snow Field at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Spectator Parking Lots
Parking for the Gem of the Hills Marching Invitational is $5 at the lots located on the map.
*Note there is no parking across from Red Rooster as this is for bus and truck parking.
General Admission Information
We would love to have you come to our event. Check out this information before visiting campus to know exactly where you need to go!
Bus and Equipment Parking Information
Please consult the information to know where the equipment trucks and buses will be parking in relation to the stadium.
*Note: As we are a university, we do not have a Booster Organization; therefore, we cannot supply ATVs and Trailers for equipment.
Directors / Bus Drivers
Director and Bus Driver wristbands will allow access to a private seating area under the East Endzone of the stadium. Water will be provided
The student commons building will also be available for directors and bus drivers to reside for the day if they would like. It is located at the food court in the Theron Montgomery Building (Close to the equipment truck parking area). TVs are located throughout the food court area.
FOOD OPTIONS:
Stadium Concession
(Cashless)
Food Trucks
(Cashless)
JSU Dining Hall
(Cash, $11 for lunch)
Chick-Fil-A (Theron Montgomery Building)
(Cash and Card)
Directions to JSU
From Birmingham, AL:
Take I-20 East to Exit 185 (Anniston/Oxford – Alabama Highway 21). Turn left onto Alabama Highway 21 North. Go through Oxford, Anniston/McClellan, and around the Jacksonville square (about 20 miles). You will see the 12- story Houston Cole Library on the right and the marble university sign on the left. The entrance to the university is on your left.
From Atlanta, GA:
Take I-20 West to Exit 185 (Anniston/Oxford). Merge right onto Alabama Highway 21 North. Go through Oxford, Anniston/McClellan, and the Jacksonville square (about 20 miles). You will see the 12-story Houston Cole Library on the right and the marble University sign on the left. The entrance to the university is on your left.
From Huntsville, AL:
Take US Highway 431 (Governor’s Drive) South through Gadsden. Once south of Gadsden, turn left onto Alabama Highway 204. Highway 204 leads directly to campus. Merge right onto Alabama Highway 21. The entrance to the university is the first right, at the traffic signal – University Drive.
From Montgomery, AL:
Take US Highway 231 North. In Sylacauga, take Alabama Highway 21 North off of US Highway 231. Go through Talladega, Oxford, Anniston/McClellan, and around the Jacksonville square (about 20 miles). You will see the 12-story Houston Cole Library on the right and the marble university sign on the left. The entrance to the university is on your left.
From Rome, GA:
Travel on Highway 27 South to Cedartown and take US Highway 278 West to Piedmont, AL. In Piedmont, turn left onto Highway 200. Highway 200 merges onto Alabama Highway 21 South. Follow Highway 21 South to Jacksonville. You will see the 12-story Houston Cole Library on the left and the marble University sign on the right. The entrance to the university is the first right, at the traffic signal – University Drive.