Marshall was known as the school band "capital" of the world in the 1940s. Area schools would come to compete and march down main street. It was known as "The Biggest Little Band Festival in the World" and was held from 1938 to 1951. It was founded by Tibby Shades (school superintendent) and Ashley Alexander Sr. (band director). It was cancelled in 1952 due to the state band contest being scheduled on the same date and was never revived. It grew to such magnitude that WKY radio out of Oklahoma City broadcast the marching band performances held on main street. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol increased participation on festival day to assist with the traffic situation. Fifty-Seven towns converged on Marshall in 1951 to participate in the festival with sixty-five performing groups. It is believed 5,000 participated in the 1951 festival.