DeanInChicago

Living in Chicago, I can attend a lot of nearby shows, outside the fence, to hear DCI for free or at low prices. Whitewater has a great, accessible, no cost, grassy hill outside the SE corner of the stadium. Bring a lawn chair or a red plaid blanket, turkey sandwiches, and pickles. You get a great, somewhat diagonal view of the backs of shows thru the chain link fence. And be sure to park 15 minutes walk away for complimentary parking. Not to worry, I have bought a 2026 Whitewater stadium ticket. You can hear both nights of Allentown PA for free behind the grandstand, outside the fence. You can even watch the drill if a corps favors the westward 25 yards nearest the corps entry gate. Ok, Allentown’s Greenwood Cemetery is not near Chicago, but we’re offering nationwide budget breakers. Back in the day, Michigan City’s stadium was ideal for seeing and hearing a show for free, as the brick border fence purposely had cutout, wide keyhole spaces to enjoy the evening. You’d end up spending more money at the DQ across the street. A motel was never necessary, as you could sleep on the steps of the twin-steepled church a few blocks away, next to the soothing crickets, then catch the next morning’s train back to Chicago. Show of Shows? Listen to it for free from outside the fence in Rockford. Cavalcade of Brass? Listen to it gratis, sitting behind the grandstand in the baseball diamond bleachers. DeKalb? Oh, Please. The sound carries better here than anywhere else thanks to the sweating cornfields.

At intermission both nights in Allentown, Yokohama should sponsor a contest. A marching member from each of that night’s corps (10-11 each night?) will roll a Yokohama tire from an end zone to end up atop the 50 yard line. Closest tire wins a $100 shopping spree at the funnel cake stand.

Ann is dismayed that Soaring Sounds is off the schedule! I am eyeing Rockford, Lisle, Whitewater, DeKalb, then 3 days of finals.

Hopefully this is just a glitch on my end and nobody else, but I was charged twice for my 2025 Indy lodging. I’ll get it sorted out with the hotel, but just wanted to give a heads up to others. I made reservations in August 2024 for a 3-night stay in August 2025. I paid in full in August 2024, making the reservation thru the Visit Indy site. But after reviewing my recent Visa card expenses, I was charged the exact cost again in August 2025. I’ll get a happy ending, but first need to resolve the double billing.

I had tickets for all 3 shows, and skipped a great deal of performances. Prelims was a long day on Thursday. I ended up skipping the final four corps and headed back to the hotel. Friday morning: Rode the Purple Line from the Statehouse stop to the Indiana State Fair on 38th Street. Arrived at 8AM gate opening. In the Pioneer Village, at the daily flag raising ceremony, recited the Pledge of Allegiance with about 50 others. We then sang a few stanzas of Old MacDonald Had A Farm. Over the next 4 hours, visited horses, cows, and pigs. Had a chance encounter with Doreen of Batesville IN who won 13 ribbons at this year’s fair, including a Best of Show ribbon for her Quick Bread. She showed off her cookies, pies, and breads after I politely asked for a grand tour. In the Farm Bureau Building, a man spotted my DCI shirt. He worked at Beech Grove HS for 8 years and often unlocked the school doors to welcome the Cavaliers to their annual Indy housing site. Returned to downtown, showered, and met up with Scott, Teresa, Ann, and Tony at 2PM at Slippery Noodle. We arrived at Lucas on Friday to catch Academy thru Spirit Alumni at Semis. Saturday morning: returned to the fair to visit rabbits, poultry, and the giant vegetables. The fairgrounds were very crowded compared to Friday morning. Met up with high school friend Regina in the painted plate room. She was wearing her usual CoverGirl peach lipstick. Both mornings, bought a $1.50 tomato juice, and grabbed several free samples in the Farm Bureau Taste of Indiana exhibit: popcorn, carrots, pork rinds, applesauce, and chocolate milk. Amazingly, both mornings, bought only the tomato juice but no state fair food. Headed back downtown around 2. Met up with niece Victoria on the Circle. Her son was playing in the INPact band, playing snare for the first time ever. Victoria relaxed at my hotel while I showered. I wasn’t expecting company: she was warned about underwear and socks airing out everywhere in the hotel room. The line into Lucas moved quickly for finals entry. Had good rides Thursday morning, then Sunday afternoon, on Greyhound, between Chicago and Indy.

During Mandarin’s ballad, a Lucas Oil employee zipped down the steps between section 139 and 140 to row 8 to fix the very loose railing. He finished the necessary task quickly.

A few of the seats in sections 238 and 242 will be turning into Friends’ seats for August 2026. In past years and 2025, the 238 and 242 seats had been set aside for Super3 purchasers, but as the number of Friends has increased, so is the need for more Friend seats.

Between shows tonight, I've mapped out the itinerary for the Indiana State Fair during Finals Week mornings. Horse show, rabbit show, sheep show, swine show. Ice cream sundae at Hook's soda fountain. Giant vegetable contest. Public speaking contest. Hair cut at the Pioneer Village Barber Shop. Gates open daily at 8AM. Take the Indygo 4, Indygo 39, or Purple bus line from downtown Indy to the fairgrounds.

The annual Yard Sale begins in one week.

I don't care if it costs the city triple time, but Allentown has my blessing to fix the light between now and Saturday's National Anthem.

If you have an extra bath towel in your Bethlehem motel, please bring it to the stadium. Toss the towel in such manner that it lands over the flickering light. A thick, plush towel will work best. Repeat the toss until successful.

Woohoo! Signed in at home in Chicago.

Teresa and Tony are attending! I asked if the red Powerade cooler has been backfield all night, and they said yes. Teresa is perplexed by the red storage containers in the south end zone.

I stocked up on picnic foods in Pocatello, Idaho on a May trip to Yellowstone, and was surprised that my credit card was denied at WinCo Foods grocery. The store accepted cash or debit cards only. The beer vendors at Wrigley Field earn WAY FEWER tips since moving from cash/credit to credit only, though I still see fans slipping cash tips into vendor hands in the upper deck. The games are quicker, too, due to the pitch clock, with less opportunity for late inning tips. Last October, I was pickpocketed on Bourbon Street. I immediately cancelled two credit cards and a debit card. I flew back to Chicago without an ID. TSA asked me MANY questions at the NOLA airport: name family members older than you, name a few phone numbers that you have had in your lifetime, what's your social security card number, name a park near your residence. This month, Chase reached out to me to ask if I made a $9.00 debit card purchase. I did not. Chase promptly issued replacement card. I have never had a hot dog at Lucas Oil. I prefer the nachos.

I would love this show if the non-engaging, visually distracting, rolling coil props were removed.