August 2, 2024 – Easton, Pennsylvania
By the grace of the road angels, I have completed most of my journey to Allentown this morning. I left Lawrence, MA late in the evening after the show. A cat nap at the service area broke up the nocturnal travel after blurry eyes and a nodding head signaled a rest. Being ahead of my schedule this morning, I decided to take a break here at the National Canal Museum in Easton, Pennsylvania. As a transportation history buff and a runner back in the day, this was a special place to stop for a nice run at a fast mule pace along a historic water-level trade route in Central PA. Coal was the main commodity. Did you know that in the 19th century there were over 3,000 miles of canals in the country, and by early twentieth century there were over 240,000 miles of railroads, largely putting the canals out of business. Today, I walked at a mule’s pace for a stretch, then found this picnic table in the pavilion to avoid the light rain and catch up with you. I’m not sure what it will be like at show time, but the forecast is not good, with a 90 percent chance of thunderstorms. I will worry about that later. It’s time for me to catch up with you on the Boston area competition last night.
We returned to Veterans Memorial Stadium early for some pre-show merriment and to cruise in the lot. What a treat to see Santa Clara Vanguard back east again. The SGV snares found an unusual rehearsal spot in preparation for going up against the BAC team later. Once again, it was a perfect night for drum corps, though it was a bit on the humid side. No rain was a plus. The East Coast Showcase featured a great line-up of corps this year. The Crusaders Senior Corps brought out the colors, and after the National Anthem, we were treated to a short session of standards. Kudos to the old guard and the great solos. While the ole boys were on the field, a massive entourage of the Troopers was assembling in the endzone. They looked like they meant business. And they did! Much like at NightBEAT, the stadium erupted to the triumphant “When Johny Comes Marching Home” riff at the closer. The stalwart trooper heroically conquers the Devil again, standing tall with his sword raised in salute. Next, the Cavaliers showed flesh and blood and the softer side that lay beneath their armor. Oh, how these performers are getting good! The now familiar repertoire resonates in the pleasure center.
Santa Clara Vanguard brought the power, precision, and performance-ability that they are well-known for. Sparse regalia with deep solid red, blue, highlighted by yellow uniforms were cast in the thin light of the stadium as this corps mesmerized us with that signature SCV precise movement and sound. I can identify with their show title, Vagabond. This theme is my mode, as I slept in the car last night and took a morning nap along the way here at my favorite place along the Delaware River. There will be many more days and nights on the open road and in my hammock ahead before I return to my humble abode along the Mill Brook in late August.
The slugfest between BAC and Carolina Crown continued to favor the Boston Crusaders, who came out on top, but it would be hard to argue which corps is the better at this level. Both shows completely overwhelmed the senses and entertained us to the core. It is notable how the Boston program is much like a Crown show in design and content. It is not surprising, as there are former Carolina Crown staff within the BAC design team. As a result, Boston has dominated the color guard caption standings for the past several years. The demands of Prometheus and Glitch emphasize the adaptability and high-caliber talented performers these professionals draw to both corps. These two corps will continue to push each other forward and represent the best of the East.
The East Coast Showcase is in the history books having delighted the Boston area fan base once again with a top-notch show and a home team win. After the show, I lingered in the stands to converse with friends Ron and Nancy, whom I invited to attend their first drum corps show. Ron has been a great mentor to me with my writing. “We never knew this existed, said Ron.” Success, two more drum corps fans were born last night.
Tonight, long-term and new fans will converge on J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pennsylvania for a two-day extravaganza of a world-class DCI competition. Twenty-one DCI world class drum corps have been making their way across the country, caravaning from one housing site to the next venue and the next. They will amass in Cedar Creek Park, where drum corps fans, and alumni groups converge for an up close and personal experience watching their favorite corps disembark from their coaches and rehearse before the show. I have made this pilgrimage to Allentown every year since 2012, except for the fateful non-season during Covid in 2020. Each year has brought new stories and new friends. I will clam it up here and make the final leg of my journey to meet up with fellow cult members, including brother Garry, at the Hamilton Family Restaurant within earshot of the stadium and park. This will be another reunion of friends and merriment, including a second annual golf match on Saturday, so there won’t be much time to write. I’ll try to catch up with you later.
August 3, 2024 – Allentown, Pennsylvania
Day one of Allentown 2024 is in the books. Last night was the first of two nights of drum corps at the J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with perfect weather. There is something magical about this storied venue. All corps performed at their top ability. I imagine the members look forward to arriving in the cool shade of the mature trees in Cedar Creek Park. Converging with other corps that they may or may not have interacted with previously during the season, the members disembark to prepare for the show. Friends are found; friends are made. Before the show, I enjoyed a brisk walk around the park to observe the convergence and soak in the spirit of the thousands of America’s best kids.
We were spared the storms that were threatening in the area for another fine night for drum corps. In fact, Mother Nature provided a cloud show during the colorful sunset. Genesis, Music City, The Academy, Blue Knights, and Pacific Crest presented their well-crafted and practiced shows under the colorful tapestry above. Everyone received a standing ovation for their late-season proficiency and fun depiction of their themes. As each of the following corps performed under the darkening sky, the quality of sound and visual movements became increasingly clear and precise. The Cavaliers continued to reveal their manly inner selves, as the Madison Scouts showed the world their competitive selves, blended with a mosaic of X and Y pieces. The Colts arrived with confidence and panache, owning the field and the audience for their dozen minutes, earning a third place. It was great to see how this show has grown and improved since seeing them in the early season in the Midwest.
The Blue Devils, the perennial winners, narrowed the gap but remained ranked in second place. One has to be prepared to be overwhelmed by the performance ability of this austere corps. It is almost too much for the common man to realize and interpret. These folks from California bring the most diverse and talented drum corps performers on the planet, maybe with the exception of at least one other corps this year. Capping the evening was another stellar and astonishing performance of chaos and order, assembly and disassembly from the Bluecoats, who continued their undefeated streak in 2024. All in all, it was perfect Allentown.
Before opening up this blog portal this morning in the breakfast nook, I checked my emails. My friends Ron and Nancy, whom I invited to the Boston Crusaders home show, wrote, “Nancy and I really enjoyed the drum corps show last night. We just made a donation to pay for one of the team’s meals.” That was their first drum corps show. Tonight, the Allentown world may experience a few glitches. I look forward to reuniting with BAC board members, alumni, and fans before the show. These are the folks who welcomed me into the fold in 2017 when I ran away with the drum corps for 23 days as a volunteer. Since driving several hours to a show today is unnecessary, I am heading to my annual golf match with one. Chuck is on the board of Inspire Arts and a Boston Crusader alumnus. Formerly a corporate IT security specialist, he now operates a wellness center and is a very successful coach on personal health and fitness. We are like-minded on several issues. He is someone that I have listened to intently and have learned from on my summer sojourns since 2017. We made plans to tour from Allentown to Indianapolis together for the DCI finals, loosely caravaning with brother Garry and others.