Corps Banquets

[Piper]

I was just wondering about Corps banquets at the end of the season. I know it's comparing today with yesteryear. When I marched juniors most membership was local and almost all the kids were there (of course we had to serve the parents instead of the other way around for a change) . But with many Corps today having members from just about everywhere, how many kids can actually make the banquet and how many Corps still have them? Like I said...just wondering.

Edited August 28, 2008 by Piper

[DrillmanSop06]

The Colts and the Glassmen both hold annual banquets.

[soccerguy315]

I would think most (all?) corps have them...

some have them right after the season, say... on Sunday, the day after finals.

some have them on a camp weekend in november / december. Camp goes Friday night + Saturday, Vets head off to banquet, new people spend the night and head home Sunday morning.

[Zeke]

Doesn't Cavies or Cadets do their banquets towards the end of tour?

[L1STEN2311]

Crossmen and blue devils have theirs after tour on the weekend of the first audition camp. phantom has theirs during tour around the atlanta show/allentownish. Cavaliers used to have theirs like crossmen and blue devils, but this year they had the banquet the day after finals so all the members from out of state, country, and continent could attend.

I dig the audition camp version. It gives you enough time to get the hell away from everyone so you actually miss them instead of wanting to go home to your girlfriend/bed/beer.

[silvertrombone]

I don't remember having a tour banquet of any kind at SkyRyders in 92. 94 Regiment had ours at some AFB out east. Langley stands out in my memory, but that's CIA and that doesn't sound right. Andrews, perhaps?

Corey? Nikk? Do you guys remember where it was?

Sky's banquet in 91 and 92 was Saturday night of audition camp. Just a little reunion opportunity for the previous years' members, really. PR's was a sort of awards ceremony for weird awards and hype speech for vets.

[sday88]

At Bluecoats, we always had the banquet on the Friday before the first camp weekend, which was Thanksgiving weekend. This year they did it the day after Finals for the first time. I was told by a member that they did it that way this year because of all of the members scattered all over the country. They also did their age-out ceremony at the banquet which made it less of a "private" event.

[dc oldtimer]

Doesn't Cavies or Cadets do their banquets towards the end of tour?

This is the first year The Cavaliers had theirs right after DCI. In fact it was at an Indianapolis airport hotel to make it easier for people to get home faster. Additionally, last years members were lucky enough to join us during the 60th Dinner, the Sunday before DCI. So they got fed REALLY well twice in one week.

Up until this year, they had the banquet during their November camp in the O'Hare/Rosemont area. And WAY before that, the banquet was around the Christmas holiday. It was a lot easier then since most of the families and kids were from the Chicago area.

Edited August 29, 2008 by dc oldtimer

[ckomnick]

Everyone is invited to the Madison Scouts' 70th Anniversary Banquet where we will celebrate the 2008 corps, the 25th anniversary of the 1983 "Best Color Guard" award and the 20th anniversary of the 1988 DCI Championship title and European tour!

September 26 and 27 will be when we'll all meet at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells (exit #92 off I-90/94) for socializing and celebrating. Friday evening will be time to catch up with friends, watch historic footage of past performances and take part in several events to be announced soon. There will be a $10.00 charge at the door for this portion of the weekend. Light snacks will be available, along with a cash bar.

On Saturday morning, Executive Director Jeff Spanos will be presenting an informal "state of the corps" session that will include an opportunity to ask questions of the management and members of the board of directors about the past, present and future of the organization.

The Saturday banquet will begin with a cocktail hour from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, followed by a buffet dinner from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The two-hour program will include recognition of special guests, volunteers, current members, alumni and board members. The emcee for the evening will be DCI's contest announcer, Brandt Crocker, who has been the "voice" of the organization since its first championship in 1972 at Warhawk Stadium in Whitewater, WI.

Families are encouraged to spend the weekend at the Kalahari and take advantage of the resort's championship golf course, Trapper's Turn, and the on-site spa, as well as the largest indoor waterpark in the United States. Special discounts for golf and the spa are available if you make a reservation at the same time you book your room and purchase your banquet ticket.

Two types of rooms are available in the block reserved for attendees -- a "Hut" with two queen beds, one queen sofa sleeper, work desk, television, patio/balcony, 358 square feet for $119.00 per night plus tax; or a "Lodge" with one king bed, one queen sofa sleeper, living room with fireplace, kitchen, dining room set, whirlpool tub, two televisions, patio/balcony with furniture, 663 square feet for $129.00 per night plus tax.

Call TOLL FREE 1-877-525-2427 or 608-254-5466 to reserve your room at the Kalahari Resort. Mention the “Madison Scouts Banquet” for the discounted rates. The deadline for receiving the discounted prices for rooms is September 12, 2008.

To purchase banquet tickets ($35.00 each), go to www.madisongear.com. Tickets for members of the 2008 corps are $20.00 each.

During the weekend, silent auction items will be on display, along with current and special souvenirs. There will also be a historical display. Advance orders will be taken for a special 4-disc DVD containing footage of past performances, some of which has never been previously available.

This special time to honor the Madison Scouts is not to be missed. Plan to bring family and friends and be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event!

For additional information, click HERE.

[ssorrell]

From 1977 until the mid 90s, Spirit held their banquet during the last couple weeks of tour. Before the Top 12 was required to perform in quarter finals, our banquets were held on Thursday before finals. Later we started having it on Tuesday or Wednesday before finals. Then in the mid 90s the banquet was moved to November I believe. In 2000 and 2001 and maybe even 2002 we held it on one of the last weekends heading into finals, but now once again, I think it is back to being held in November.

I loved it when we had it on tour...of course, that's the only way I've ever known it. But it was the ONLY time you could guarantee that everyone would be there. And we all looked forward to dressing up for that one day on tour. The girls looked quite funky with the open shoes and heels while sporting their drum corps tan that stopped at their ankles.