Michigan City, IN (March 8, 2011) – Mike Dempsey, Chairman of the Drum & Bugle Corps Committee, for the Summer Festival Committee, has announced the lineup and dates for the 2011 season. Joe Doyle, Summer Festival Chairman, announced that the Summer Festival Parade will step off on July 2, 2011, followed by the 51st Pageant of Drums competition to be held at Ames Field that evening. The Cavaliers of Rosemont, Illinois will again host the event. The lineup for the 2011 competition will feature The Cavaliers, The Blue Stars, The Bluecoats, The Glassmen, The Pioneers, The Colts, The Legends, The Troopers, and The Colt Cadets.

Dempsey says that the visiting corps and their families and friends pump tens of thousands of dollars into our local economy. “Of the seven corps we have to date, they represent over 340 years, collectively, in drum & bugle corps activity. And these corps, with the exception of the Troopers, are from the Midwest. Most of these corps travel with five busses, two to three tractor trailers, a souvenir trailer, and one or two other vehicles. Marching members are fed four meals a day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack after the show. All of these corps will travel a minimum of 10,000 miles while touring in 2011. Most of these corps will march 150 youngsters, the maximum allowed by DCI (Drum Corps International) rules.  Many of these corps have performed for United States presidents.”

The Cavaliers are 7 time DCI World Champions from Rosemont, IL, and holder of many American Legion and VFW national titles. They began as a parade corps in 1948 and their founder, Don Warren, serves as Chairman of the Board.

Blue Stars: La Crosse, WI, started in 1965.

Bluecoats: N Canton, OH started as an outgrowth of the Canton Police Boys Club. Founded in 1972

Colts: Dubuque, IA Founded in 1963, have become a championship corps, placing in the Top 12 at DCI Finals seven times.

Colt Cadets: The Colt Cadets are an outstanding performing group primarily made up of middle school and high school students from Dubuque, Iowa and the tri-state area. Founded in 1967, the Colt Cadets are one of the few remaining cadet corps in the country.

Glassmen: Toledo, OH in existence for over 45 years

Legends: Formed in 2001, The Legends program began as an indoor winter program for Portage Central High School brass and percussion students in Portage, Michigan.

Pioneers: Milwaukee, WI This upcoming season becomes their 50th

Troopers: Casper, WY founded in 1957.

For more information, please visit our website at www.michigancityfestivalsinc.com