POULSBO — Starting Thursday, students from 13 middle schools and six high schools will kick off the 36th Viking Jazz Fest.

A total of 45 bands will attend the annual event in the Poulsbo Community Auditorium, located in the same building as the North Kitsap Community Pool.

A concert open to the public will be held Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. The concert will feature high school groups that earned a spot in the evening event, by competing during the day. The concert will include Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, internationally known for his Alto and Sopran Sax and the NKHS Varsity Jazz Ensemble. The top three finalist bands in each category will take the stage to vie for first, second and third place and sweepstakes trophies in the evening.

The concert will close with a performance by the Central Washington University’s Top Jazz Band.

The middle and high school bands travel from around Puget Sound and Washington to perform in Viking Jazz Fest.

Performances held during the day are free and open to the public.