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Mike Pease

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Posts posted by Mike Pease

  1. I found out there is a parade in Michigan City on Saturday morning and they are advertising that the drum corps competing that night will be in the parade.

    Just wondering if that is indeed the case? Anyone ever been to this parade before? If so, any recommendations on a good viewing location?

    Thanks

    The parade is from 11:00 - 1:00. It starts at 10th & Franklin St. (U.S. 421) & heads south to Ames Field. Length of parade is 3/4 mile. The reviewing stand is just south of Barker Ave. about 1/4 north of Ames Field. The Ames Field area is also a good area because of the park there. All but one of the Ames Field parking lots are closed during the parade. The other lot will fill early with horse trailers & other parade participants vehicles. There are several bars & restaurants along the parade route & port-a-pots are located at Ames Field.

    Hope this helps.

  2. I found out there is a parade in Michigan City on Saturday morning and they are advertising that the drum corps competing that night will be in the parade.

    Just wondering if that is indeed the case? Anyone ever been to this parade before? If so, any recommendations on a good viewing location?

    Thanks

  3. Sorry Pio mom - I must disagree. I'm a Teal parent:) Seriously, it will be interesting to see how those two corps fare tonight. Teal has been rehearsing for the past 6 days in Michigan City with great weather and facilities. My daughter tells me things went well:) So they should be ready for tonight too. Good Luck to all!

    OOPS! Let's try that again. Sorry about that previous post.

    And we had them at the beach, filled their bellies with Perch, Salmon & Trout. Tomorrow, they'll be at the stadium again from 2 - 10.

    It's been alot of fun having them here. Great group of kid's & staff.

    Saturday, they'll be in the parade & their first appearance in the Pageant of Drums. They are excited to see the stadium packed. Backside stands full this year too.

    Mike

  4. Sorry Pio mom - I must disagree. I'm a Teal parent:) Seriously, it will be interesting to see how those two corps fare tonight. Teal has been rehearsing for the past 6 days in Michigan City with great weather and facilities. My daughter tells me things went well:) So they should be ready for tonight too. Good Luck to all!
  5. I've been hosting Teal Sound in Michigan City since Friday. They will be here until July 5 and will return later in the month. I've known Randy, Brian & Lainey for several years. This is an outstanding group. The staff, volunteers & members are first class. We're having a great time while they are here. The corps performed a wonderful concert Friday for the community. If you are looking for a corps to march with, please consider Teal Sound.

    See you later this week Randy.

    Mike

  6. I have a hotel booked on the same road as the stadium, but it was really cheap and that in itself has me both elated and scared. Is this area a ghetto? Should we be scared and ponie up for better digs further away? Any ideas. I won't name the hotel, as I there are a few in the same block and I don't want to single any one out. Just over all, how safe is this city?

    Most of the motels in Michigan City are in the same area just off I-94. This is a good area. Michigan City is a safe city for the most part. We do have our stinkers here and there like all cities. lol. A check on Monday with the area motels show they are near capacity Sun. Aug. 2 - Wed. Aug. 5. Even the two casino hotels are booked. But we are a summer tourist town.

    Feel free to PM me with any other questions.

    Stop & say HI next week.

    Mike

  7. What about non-fast food, non-pizza restaurants? Would you recommend The Sahara or Galveston Steak House?

    Galveston is good. It's on north Pine St. across from City Hall. I've never been to Sahara. Also try Lindos on Franklin St., Hammers on E. US 20, Hacienda on North Karwick Rd. (always a wait in the summer), Oriental Pearl at 9th and Franklin St., Shoops has great burgers. If you like the old days try Carlsons Drive-in, about 1/2 mile south of Ames Field on W. Coolspring Ave. They have homemade old fashion root beer & cream soda. Eat in your car or in the picnic area.

    Hope this helps.

    Mike

  8. Forgive me if this has already been answered, but will housing change if a corps advances to semis and finals? Or will all corps stay in Michigan City regardless? If any corps are moving upon advancing, does anyone know where some might be staying? Thanks~

    A couple of the corps are leaving Michigan City for Bloomington on Tuesday night. The rest of them are leaving Wednesday morning.

    Mike

  9. Maggie,

    The Opening Ceremonies are at 6:30 p.m. (central) on Mon. Aug. 4 at the Ames Field Fountain just outside the stadium. The stadium is at 2501 Franklin St. (US 421). The fountain is in a park that is part of the stadium complex. The ceremony should last about 45 minutes to an hour. Dutch Boy & Memphis Sound are performing in concert. The flags of the five countries participating will be presented as well as the 2008 World Championship flag. Mayor Chuck Oberlie, DCI Executive Director and Open Class Director Dave Eddelman will speak. There will be a large balloon launch at the end of the ceremony. Several of the corps are bringing their kid's to the ceremony. A large crowd is expected to fill the park area. Don't miss it.

    Blue Chip Casino is not the official headquarters. But good luck while you're there.

    See you at the show.

    Mike

    OOPS!

    Should have said DCI Executive Director Dan Acheson.

    Mike

  10. You know, that is why I enjoy Open Class so much. It reminds me of when I marched back in the 70s. The towns were really into the shows and watching rehearsals and supporting the Corps. They would feed us and fill up the little stands surrounding our rehearsal fields to cheer us on. Back then, it was on any given night that ANY Corps could beat another. Very unpredictable and surprising. That is what made it so FUN! And to see a kid that didn't have much talent in the beginning totally blossom into a most valued member is also what it is all about. Open Class Corps don't start out with the Cream of the Crop, but man, by the end of the Season, they are just as entertaining and fun to watch as the "Big Boys".

    So Mike, can you tell us more about what will be happening on the 4th for Opening Ceremonies? Also, I'm staying at the Blue Chip Casino and am wondering if that is the "Official" headquarters for the show.

    Can't wait!

    Maggie,

    The Opening Ceremonies are at 6:30 p.m. (central) on Mon. Aug. 4 at the Ames Field Fountain just outside the stadium. The stadium is at 2501 Franklin St. (US 421). The fountain is in a park that is part of the stadium complex. The ceremony should last about 45 minutes to an hour. Dutch Boy & Memphis Sound are performing in concert. The flags of the five countries participating will be presented as well as the 2008 World Championship flag. Mayor Chuck Oberlie, DCI Executive Director and Open Class Director Dave Eddelman will speak. There will be a large balloon launch at the end of the ceremony. Several of the corps are bringing their kid's to the ceremony. A large crowd is expected to fill the park area. Don't miss it.

    Blue Chip Casino is not the official headquarters. But good luck while you're there.

    See you at the show.

    Mike

  11. I hope they include "will not have to have a silent final run through due to annoying locals"

    The City of Michigan City suspends all noise ordinances when the drum corps are here. The locals around the schools love it (except for one or two grouches here & there). You would be surprised at the neighbors involvement when the corps come. The neighbors are known to provide things for the corps staying in their neighborhoods. And they always show up for rehearsals.

    Mike

  12. Does anyone have a list of where the various corps are being housed, or where their practice fields will be at (if not at the housing site)? I might go early to try to watch some rehearsals.

    Here are the housing sites for Open Class Quarterfinals in Michigan City. Most of the corps have requested the school they are staying at.

    The following are staying in Michigan City:

    Memphis Sound - Michigan City High School - 8466 Pahs Rd.

    Beatrix - Michigan City High School - 8466 Pahs Rd.

    Velvet Knights - Michigan City High School - 8466 Pahs Rd.

    Vanguard Cadets - Barker Middle School - 319 Barker Rd.

    Raiders - Krueger Middle School - 2001 Springland Ave.

    Les Stentors - Krueger Middle School - 2001 Springland Ave.

    Teal Sound - Elston Middle School (Meer Gym) - 317 Detroit St.

    Oregon Crusaders - Elston Middle School (Wolf Gym) - 317 Detroit St.

    Rehearsal field at Marsh Elementary School (3 blocks southeast) - 400 E. Homer St.

    Colt Cadets - Marquette High School - 310 W. 10th St.

    Rehearsal field at Pullman Park - US 12 & Willard Ave.

    7th Regiment - St. Paul's School - 818 Franklin St.

    Citations - Springfield Elementary School - 3054 W. 800 North (Tryon Rd.)

    Dutch Boy - Mullen Elementary School - 100 Manny Ct. (Lake Hills Rd.)

    Strangnas - Coolspring Elementary School - 9121 W. 300 North

    Revolution - Edgewood Elementary School - 502 Boyd Circle

    Spirit of Newark - Joy Elementary School - 1600 E. Coolspring Ave.

    Spokane Thunder - Knapp Elementary School - 321 Bolka Ave.

    Spartans - Niemann Elementary School - 811 Royal Rd.

    Impulse - Martin Luther King Youth Center - 805 Martin Luther King Dr.

    Legends - Eastport Early Learning Center - 1201 E. Michigan Blvd.

    The following are staying outside of Michigan City:

    Yamato - New Buffalo Elementary School - 12291 Lubke Rd. - New Buffalo, Michigan

    Blue Devils B - New Buffalo High School - 1112 E. Clay St. - New Buffalo, Michigan

    Jersey Surf - Westville High School - 207 Valparaiso St. - Westville, Indiana

    Racine Scouts - Seeking their own housing

    No corps have requested additional fields to use. However , if they do upon arrival, they'll be directed to a park close to their housing site.

    Mike

  13. I heard rumors that the stadium design specifically took the annual drum corps contest in consideration. Considering that the old Ames Field was a baseball field and you were lucky if the mound was removed for the show, just having a football field is an improvement.

    I'm surprised the city doesn't shut down and declare show day a holiday every year. :tongue:

    Kevin,

    This is true. The drum corps committee was involved in the design. That was before I was involved with the show. Besides the pitchers mound, the field had a slope to it. Although you really couldn't see it from the stands, football players used to say they were running uphill for half the game. But the other half it was all downhill. :beer: My brother played football there and everyone hated it.

    Also, it is a holiday, isn't it? :tongue:

    Hope to see you here in August.

    Mike

  14. I thought I'd start this thread instead of posting on the thread about Fever.

    For those that missed my previuos posts here's an update and some of this info. is at dci.org.

    The City of Michigan City is excited and proud to be hosting the 2008 Open Class Quarterfinals.

    "Banners, Balloons & Booms"

    World Championship banners will line the two main streets leading into the city this summer (US 421 & US 35) welcoming the corps and fans to our community. World Championship flags will fly over City Hall and the stadium (Ames Field) this summer also.

    Balloons will fill the air at the Official Opening Ceremonies on Mon. Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ames Field Fountain just outside the stadium. One of the 2007 medal winners will perform.

    Fireworks (booms) will bring the Tues. Aug. 5 competition to a colorful end.

    For the fans:

    A special fan lounge will be open to provide a place to get out of the heat & sun. You can eat at a table and cooling fans and first aid station will be there in case our fans need assistance.

    Parking is next to the stadium and is FREE.

    The marketplace is behind the stands under large shade trees.

    There is no track around the field. The corps perform just twelve feet from the stands.

    The stadium holds 3,150 on the concert (home) side. The center section has 23 rows and the two outside sections have 26 rows.

    The stadium is completely handicap accesible. Chairs are available for those that can't sit in bleachers. Volunteer staff will be there to assist those that need help.

    There will be fan giveaways all day.

    The Michigan City High School Band Boosters are providing concessions. They will provide a wide variety of food items besides hot dogs.

    For the corps:

    All corps are being housed within nine miles of the stadium.

    All housing sites have been set since last July.

    All corps will have grass rehearsal fields and additional fields are being provided at City parks in case any corps wants additional space.

    All corps will have shower use.

    Some corps will have the pleasure of a community organization providing one or two meals for them.

    All corps will receive a gift from the City while they are here.

    Police Motorcycle Escorts will bring all of the corps to the show site.

    All corps will be able to shower at the stadium after they perform if they wish. Sometimes the corps stay and watch the rest of the performances and a shower will be great after marching.

    The stadium field is getting a complete makeover so it is in the best possible condition for the competition.

    Well that's a start anyway. I'll post updates as things progress. I hope to see everyone this summer and please stop and say Hi.

    Thank you all.

    Mike

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