Mike Pease Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWonka Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 You know I used to be kinda hacked off about moving "Open", Div II/III what ever you want to call the lower division off to MC instead of putting them in the big stadium with World, etc. But the more I hear about the setup in MC and how those folks really want them and are rolling out the red carpet I'm sold. The things above sound awesome. It's going to be a let down to play to a packed small stadium with 3k+ in it to a big empty feeling stadium if nothing else. Move "Open" championships to Thursday and leave it in MC. Let them soak that up. Then bus them all in to Bloomington or Indy so they can watch World before going home. Playing in a semi-empty monster stadium beats playing in a semi-empty small one. But playing in a packed rowdy small one beats a big empty any day. IMHO. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contreuph Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Forget Bloomington! jk Anyways it's great that there will be a warm welcome and the police escorts seem really cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECJ94 Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Having been in Michigan City in 2005 for the Great Lakes Open, I can say that it is one of the best cities to host a drum corps show that I have ever been to. Mike and his staff do a great job and the city is extremely welcoming. Our police escort in 2005 included the chief of police who let the members even pose for pictures on his motorcycle. Congrats to DCI for choosing a host city that will welcome all of the corps with open arms!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VKSEC Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 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 Mike: THANK YOU to you and your staff for making all this possible for us. All of us at VK appreciate very much all the hard work you have put into making this possible. Can't wait to meet you........see you August 3rd!!! THANK YOU AGAIN!!!! This all sounds FANTASTIC!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scerpella Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 MC also boasts one the the best grass fields I have ever set foot on. It was like the best flattest lawn ever. Made me wonder if a little piece of the groundskeeper dies every time football players and their spikes rip that thing up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevingamin Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 MC also boasts one the the best grass fields I have ever set foot on. It was like the best flattest lawn ever. Made me wonder if a little piece of the groundskeeper dies every time football players and their spikes rip that thing up. 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluteBoy Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Hey guys ... I've been to Ames Field for the Cavaliers' Pageant of Drums a few times. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! If I remember right there's a Dairy Queen right down the street. After we hit up the concession stand at the stadium during the show, anyone up for a tasty treat when the last note is cut off? Bring on the fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndzoneEric Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 I'm surprised the city doesn't shut down and declare show day a holiday every year. Give 'em time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevingamin Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Hey guys ...I've been to Ames Field for the Cavaliers' Pageant of Drums a few times. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! If I remember right there's a Dairy Queen right down the street. After we hit up the concession stand at the stadium during the show, anyone up for a tasty treat when the last note is cut off? Bring on the fun! We'll have to run. All the corps kids will be making a beeline for the DQ once they're out of uniform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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