DeanInChicago

Go Michael! Spirit drum line.

We've been asked to return to cars as precaution.

Gates open 4:30, not 5. SoundSport starts at 5 inside the stadium.

Did I hear that the 3 SoundSport units have been moved from the swamped park to inside the stadium?

Liahona said this in the Chester show post soon after speaking to the corps director.

Cartwheels.

Cadets have secured housing. Is there a scenario in play that Genesis and Oregon Crusaders buddy up with a corps that is performing on the opposite night? Such as Genesis stay with Blue Devils, and Oregon Crusaders stay with Santa Clara? Of course, there are other combinations too - or are the logistics too daunting?

My nerd friends Sheldon and Leonard would argue that the Rose Bowl is in Pasadena.

The food trucks await your arrival.

Scott and Ann attended college with me at Indiana University.

The Bachelorette episode has finished. Clocking back in to hear about Bluecoats! Hey Kevin, my friends Scott and Ann are sitting next to you.

Regrets. Clocking out for 2 hours. The Bachelorette starts in 3 minutes.

About an hour ago, Crown announced that their VA performance tonight will be a brass and percussion standstill only due to a bug.

My annual shout out to Scott and Ann! Enjoy the show.

I love the Allentown 2-night outdoor format. You will hear motorcycles, police sirens, corps warm-ups, busses arriving, and great DCI performances. But it is so relaxing to have the corps spread out over two nights: 14 on Friday and 12 on Saturday. I recommend arriving when the 5PM gates open. The homestands of the compact stadium are set into a hill. It's all bleachers. Many fans tote in padded seats, snacks, and a light jacket. The entry gates are in 3 places: two on the upper grandstand level, and one on the lower street level. I park on Chew, which is one street behind the grandstands and Greenwood Cemetery. The great Farmer's Market on Chew is ideal for picking up Friday or Saturday snacks: nuts, pickles, pizza, chicken dinners, candy, cut fruit, banana pudding, etc. Many perishables are half price on Saturdays at the market before its 6PM closing time. At the stadium, a snow cone is a must do! Or shaved ice, depending on your upbringing. Lines are long - you WILL miss a corps during your snow cone adventure. Get your fix before the show starts. The staff at the gates and concessions are remarkable. Many have worked at this event for oodles of years. The souvie trucks and t-shirt boutiques sit atop a hill in one of the end zones. Nearly every corps is selling on both nights. In Allentown, there are at least a half dozen diners. My favorite is the Sunrise Diner, on 4th Street. Route 22 gets very clogged in the afternoons. Pack some patience or cut through Center City to soak in the row house ambience. Some of the on ramps onto Route 22 are quite short. Merge quickly or hit the breaks. Welcome to Allentown.

We've started a Allentown thread to fulfill your request.

Ok, what are your favorite local sites, hotels, restaurants, bars, parking hints, etc.

Are the free soda refills still available?

Has Muhlenberg College at 2400 Chew Street been asked? They are walking distance to the event.

After seeing the striped green field and red seats, I cannot shake my sudden desire for a watermelon.

This topic reminds me of ordering a pizza. A thin-crust pepperoni is almost always going to win.

that Blue Devils are serving ice cream at their Nighthawks counter. that Bluecoats wish for 44 degrees lower. that Colts will exchange their bed props for miniature ice rinks.

that Santa Clara is frying eggs on the sidewalk. that Boston is spelling out SEND WATER. that Pioneer is swimming with its dragon.

Looking at Ticketmaster, I recommend 4 seats in section 433. $44 each, plus fees. There are currently over 100 seats available in this section. This section keeps you in the quiet south end zone. The north end zone is rowdier with the noise spillover from the main concourse. There are higher priced seats available in the 600s, though I recommend the 400s. The HUGE crowd in the 600s can be overwhelming.

Check StubHub regularly. Check DCP Marketplace regularly. Check Ticketmaster regularly. Some ticketholders resell on the site. Review several corps websites: search by Tickets or Shop Become quick friends with a deep pocket sponsor so that you can sit in their luxury suite. Realize that others are looking too. Grab good tickets as soon as they become available. Personally, I do not trust the sellers on the corner of South Street across the intersection from Lucas Oil. Even if you end up with less than desirable seats, JUST BEING THERE is a thrill.