Today is the official start of the 90th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, but the blue coats have been seen around the city for the past week, since the national officer team joined state and local officials last Thursday in a welcoming ceremony that included turning the downtown Indy canal blue.

This year, the theme of the convention and expo is I Can. We Will. More than 64,000 FFA members from across the U.S., representing all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are expected to attend the event.

The convention and expo kicks off with the National FFA Band leading a grand march down Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis today. The march will end at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and usher in the start of the opening session. The National FFA Convention & Expo is scheduled to be held in Indianapolis through 2024.

Our Jamie Johansen is at the convention, doing some judging today and then heading to the opening session to see USDA secretary Sonny Perdue’s address.