Fred Windish

Peggly, The stadium was already reserved for the coming Labor Day, as the Wake Forest football team was to be away that year. The question was if they could be convinced to be away for several more years. That was likely, as Wake Forest officials were on the drum corps organizing committee. No, we don't have to go through it again. What that experience does indicate, at some point in the future, some sort of risk will need to be taken. Recognizing the extent of the risk will be what it's all about.

Thanks, OldStyle. I thought the crowd was rather large considering heavy rain right up to the time the gates opened. More importantly, the fans I watched enter were NOT typical drum corps fans. I saw several high school groups (some kids with drumsticks in their back pockets, etc.) Also, many unassuming locals with whom I spoke. It was a strong local showing. Oh, well.

For the most part, I believe Winston-Salem was a missed opportunity to answer some of the questions being posed here. I came away from that experience convinced it was worth a try.

I think the key for the long-distance travel option for ANY all-age corps is having a 3rd day available, as in Labor Day Weekend. To pull-off long-distance travel on a regular, non-holiday weekend will be a problem. I can see, maybe, a large event being held over the Fourth of July that would involve some corps from every region, but beyond that, it will be difficult. I have no problem with the event becoming permanent to Rochester. It's a fine city, very supportive, with two well-run local drum corps. All facilities are excellent, with the exception of the current stadium being too small to encourage growth of the event. The Kentucky Derby will always be in Louisville, and the horses don't seem to mind. The Tournament of Roses will always be in Pasadena, and the flowers aren't complaining. Mardi Gras can be expected to remain in New Orleans, and if people participating there have a problem, they just "refresh away" their troubles!

Hi, Vicky! I was not at Rochester this year, but I KNOW you were there WORKING VERY HARD on behalf of DCA. I thank you. I've seen it first-hand. On the matter of handicapped parking, as DCA's historical fan base ages, we'll need an ever-increasing amount of nearby space. I know Gil and Allen realize this and will do what they can for the next event. By way of comparison, at the August DCI Eastern Classic in Allentown, the situation became so the acute, the local committee blocked-off the entire street behind the pressbox for handicapped parking. It was closely monitored. More than 150 vehicles were accommodated this year.

I know a little about all the stress and confusion that surrounds shows like this, before, during, and AFTER. If I were to guess, the hard-working Glen Johnson is the individual responsible for posting the recaps. I'm thinking he rushed the Finals recaps up, missed posting the Prelims, got bombarded with 20 other things later, even the next morning, and suddenly finds himself in a car this afternoon, on the turnpike, with no ability to do anything about the oversight. I'm not a conspiracy kind of guy.

Jeff, the outside the stadium clip was well done. Congratulations. Did it play on the jumbotron? And tell us about the newly "refreshed" DCA banner script design.

I must say, from the clip I watched, Minnesota is very strong. Also feel sorry (again) for the Kilties. I love those guys! Can't thank DCP enough for a wonderful night.

Hey, Cozy! End of 1st quarter. Bama's up 13-0, but Clemson's on the 25. Hard to watch with all this drum corps action!

coprs? I guess Bombay Sapphire is in 2nd place!

Linda- I was just about to post the same observation! Uncanny resemblance. REALLY enjoying this DCP coverage. I'm following along while watching college football. Drum coprs is winning!

GREAT COVERAGE! This is so much fun for those of us at home. Write-in JOHN DONOVAN for President!

Oh, boy! That video looks great (and the weather). I'm getting excited for what's to follow. Much appreciated.

John, Kevin - So glad you are there! IF YOU CAN . . . please dabble with a short audio/video clip sent out to those of us who won't be there. Doesn't really matter what it is. If not a corps performance snippet, maybe an interview with Gil, for example. I had the opportunity to view the closing part (announcement of Saturday scores) of Allentown, and it added a whole new dimension that felt good to participate in. We DO understand, of course, if such is not possible this year. Thanks for all you do, Fred

What I meant was . . . Success breeds contempt. That's fine. It's part of the game. All in good fun, too! (I hate the Yankees)

What's fair is . . . . neither one of us has anything to do with the outcome! Enjoy the show!

Bucs = Yankees It was bound to happen.

Yours is a most interesting question to ponder. If you ask this follow-up question: Would an unsuspecting resident of any community hosting a show (maybe someone like your own neighbor) be very likely to give it a try at today's admission price? I'm thinking, NO.

Just got home, Jeff. It was a long day. The local committee set-up a post show meeting place about 2 blocks away. It was Flanigan's Irish Pub. Huge crowd, they were swamped. Gotta get an ad from those folks for next year! Your review is excellent, as always. You need to do this more! (think of the money in it!) I must concur, that Buc pit is incredible. I am really not a fan of that whole pit development over the years, but in this case, WOW!. They provide the perfect transition from one piece to another. Their talent is quite obvious, but more importantly, they seem to be having a really good time out there. Where do they find these people? Great evening all around. Sold out, actually. They then accepted $5 for entry to sit/stand anywhere you can. Nice neighborhood, scattered parking, mostly pro-Buccaneer fans (obviously). Too bad Albright College declined to host the event this year, but this was a first-class alternative. Gotta tell ya, that Buccaneer color guard was "spot-on." My Buccaneer Alumni had an issue with the beginning of one number, but I'm thinking few noticed the problem. All and all, a most successful event. Thanks in large part to Amy and Bill Snook. It's the Amys and Bills that keep this activity going. Every organization needs an Amy and Bill.

Please, let's all be careful not to self-destruct over this issue. I think Rochester is an OUTSTANDING and solid location for the DCA Championship. If one was to list the top ten positive attributes for a host city, I believe Rochester presents 8 of them. Rochester's stadium is currently too small to permit much natural growth, and the city's location does not provide equal access to all participants in terms of cost and difficulty. Then again, the Tournament of Roses Parade (that isn't ever leaving Pasadena) doesn't provide equal access either! Nor does Louisville's Kentucky Derby, New York's Macy's Parade, Williamsport's Little League World Series, and the list goes on. Also agree with Steve Anderman, in that the Allentown we fondly remember no longer exists. There are several recent deficiencies as compared to earlier years. When brought to the attention of local civic officials, school district officials, and media, the powers in place were NOT concerned. The current Mayor is an arrogant, small-thinking, pretender who oversees a dying city that is being overrun with gang activity and the crime that comes with that. The hotels, even though there are twice as many as before, stand ready to rip-off corps and spectators as they did the last time DCA was held there. Honestly, I was hopeful the event moved to Winston-Salem, NC. Lot's of positives there, too, and the crowd was rather large under the weather circumstance, but more importantly, a large non-drum corps crowd, possibly meaning a strong DCA Championship attendance figure. For the DCA event to move out of the Northeast, some other region will need to host a well-attended "focus event" for a few years. Such an event will only be possible with the inclusion of a few "big guns" of DCA. Set a firm date for such an event 2 years out, and MAYBE, the present big guns will find a way to make the trip.

Yes, Rentschler Field. The folks there are aware of the event, that's all I want to say. Yes, the seats at Lehigh are pretty far from the sideline, but I don't think any further than the "new and improved" JB Crum Stadium.

Mike, Princeton Stadium would be an outstanding choice! The facility is magnificent. I'm thinking, however, just about any Ivy League school would rather "just not get involved."

Hey, Galen Banko Field in Bethlehem is in great shape, but it seats just 7000 on each side. Therefore, obtaining a great seat will be even more difficult than at JB Crum. Also, the parking situation there is even worse than in Allentown, including a more difficult set-up for corps buses and trucks, and no surrounding park area for warm-ups, etc. Another cool location near Allentown, is Lafayette College Fisher Field. It's got more concert side seating than JB Crum, but again, horrible parking options for both spectators and corps. Lehigh University is also large enough, but no lights and a difficult administration to work with. A site that would work is in Hartford, CT.

Dale, You're doing a REALLY nice job with your analysis and predictions. I'm enjoying it! Thanks for your courage and willingness to provide viewpoints that are sure to attract interest in DCP.

I'm thinking DCI (the administrative team) has absolutely nothing to do with the outcome of shows. That lies with the voting members and their influence upon those who adjudicate. I am ecstatic that a fan-friendly, accessible presentation, like Crown's, has a shot to take it all. Should a Crown win this weekend, the activity will be changed for the better. This activity needs to be universally appealing to the public. The public is not interested in profound, egocentric innovation, but rather a "good night out". The public IS money. To be esoteric is to be self-limiting. I really DO think we might turn a page this year !