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DCA '15, 35 corps, great performances, not-so-great attendance


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move it. Allentown would work much better or even a huge highs school stadium or small college stadium in central PA area

I'm not sure it's been mentioned before, but the PA State Fair is in Allentown that weekend. Other than that, what stadiums in the area do you suggest that would have hotel space and nearby rehearsal space available?

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move it. Allentown would work much better or even a huge highs school stadium or small college stadium in central PA area

you won't get Allentown. accept it. With the fair, there's no way.

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I'm not sure it's been mentioned before, but the PA State Fair is in Allentown that weekend. Other than that, what stadiums in the area do you suggest that would have hotel space and nearby rehearsal space available?

On the eastern side of PA, if it's not Allentown it's Hershey.

and looking at the parking lot this weekend, the amusement park was SLAMMED with people, plus a concert at the arena.

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It is also something to note that Labor Day weekend is one of the worst weekends for Hersheypark. They've added a few new hotels to the area though, so lodging isn't a big concern. Cumberland Valley HS has a pretty decent stadium and isn't too far outside Harrisburg/Hershey area.

Was the Naval Academy in Annapolis too expensive? I know it's outside of the NE, but it's in a decent spot. I keep thinking of universities like Bucknell (don't know their stadium size, nor the hotels in the area), University of Delaware.

Sadly Hershey is one of the better venues (even with the park stuff going on) and we know it just won't happen because they'll sell out to the concert tours first.

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I need to add some local knowledge to the idea of returning to Allentown.

1. The Allentown Fair has been getting smaller since the last time the DCA Championships were held here during Fair Week. It is now a vary large carnival, attracting mostly local teens and young adults. The Allentown Fair is about HALF what the New York State Fair represents in terms of attendance. The DCA Championship years in Syracuse were held DURING the New York State Fair. Syracuse is a smaller metropolitan area than the Allentown Area.

2. The lost parking at the Allentown Fairgrounds is partly made up by additional paid, temporary spaces that open during the Allentown Fair. Those temporary parking areas are found at nearby churches, businesses, and in the parking deck at Allen High School. The amount of lost spaces, due to the Allentown Fair set-up is not a serious problem.

3. In the past decade, the Allentown Area has become the fastest growing area in all of Pennsylvania. It has had a massive boom in hotel construction, going from an approx. 3500 nearby rooms during past Allentown DCA Championships to a total today of more than 6000 rooms, with more on the way. This hotel building boom has brought an additional 300 rooms just to downtown Allentown, making downtown hotel space approx. 500 rooms.

4. Adjacent Bethlehem, PA now includes Pennsylvania's most successful gambling casino (The Sands). That complex includes a new 250 room hotel.

5. The Allentown stadium is now field turf, rather than natural grass as before. The lighting improved, too.

6. The Allentown stadium has about 9500 seats inside the goal lines, about double that available in Rochester. Room for growth, not confined to a small number of reasonably good seats, as in Rochester.

7. Allentown has a new downtown Arts District with a 1500 seat concert hall, a 8500 seat, state-of-the art arena, and about a dozen trendy restaurants.

8. First day of school for Allentown kids is the Tuesday after Labor Day. Three high schools play in the stadium, but usually just one game per weekend. The Allentown School District is drum corps friendly and has rescheduled a game for drum corps in the past, even then, only a potential Saturday night game would require such a sports re-schedule.

9. Allentown is now home to one of America's most successful AAA baseball teams in terms of attendance. Also now home city for the Philadelphia Flyers minor league Phantoms.

10. Allentown's Dorney Park has doubled in size, to national theme park status, and includes a huge WaterPark.

In short, Allentown has MANY excellent qualities these days. Truly, both Cadets2 and the Buccaneers should give full consideration to making a DCA Championship bid.

Carry on, and thanks for your consideration.

Edited by Fred Windish
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Was the Naval Academy in Annapolis too expensive? I know it's outside of the NE, but it's in a decent spot. I keep thinking of universities like Bucknell (don't know their stadium size, nor the hotels in the area), University of Delaware.

Annapolis was fantastic in every respect. But any event hosted there is a slave to Navy's football schedule. I hope DCA returns there when the Rochester contract is over. As a fan, that place was outstanding (can't speak to how it was for members/staff, but from what I've heard the few problems were easily dealt with).

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"Philadelphia Story":

Indeed, DCA HAS been there before. DCI also with their 75 & 76 Championships at Franklin Field. Philly is no stranger to hosting large influxes of people (They ARE hosting the Pope's visit this year), and providing for DCA's Championship should be well within their capabilities.

DCI has (As well as several large Marching Band Groups) held major shows in the area with contests at WCU's Stadium complex and the Union's stadium in Chester.

Most of the Eastern seaboard units are within a reasonable distance, and the Southern and Mid West units would be no worse off than before.

Just a thought.

Elphaba

WWW

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It is also something to note that Labor Day weekend is one of the worst weekends for Hersheypark. They've added a few new hotels to the area though, so lodging isn't a big concern. Cumberland Valley HS has a pretty decent stadium and isn't too far outside Harrisburg/Hershey area.

Was the Naval Academy in Annapolis too expensive? I know it's outside of the NE, but it's in a decent spot. I keep thinking of universities like Bucknell (don't know their stadium size, nor the hotels in the area), University of Delaware.

Sadly Hershey is one of the better venues (even with the park stuff going on) and we know it just won't happen because they'll sell out to the concert tours first.

if you aren't CV football, you aren't getting on that field. hell, the band only gets it for their home show and that's it.

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It is also something to note that Labor Day weekend is one of the worst weekends for Hersheypark. They've added a few new hotels to the area though, so lodging isn't a big concern. Cumberland Valley HS has a pretty decent stadium and isn't too far outside Harrisburg/Hershey area.

Was the Naval Academy in Annapolis too expensive? I know it's outside of the NE, but it's in a decent spot. I keep thinking of universities like Bucknell (don't know their stadium size, nor the hotels in the area), University of Delaware.

Sadly Hershey is one of the better venues (even with the park stuff going on) and we know it just won't happen because they'll sell out to the concert tours first.

Navy kind of has a tenant

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