[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=83040.42

3/23/2008 11:00:00 AM
City, Committee Hosts Of First Two DCI Events

From Staff Reports

MICHIGAN CITY - Michigan City and the Summer Festival Committee will host the first two events of the 2008 Drum Corps International Drum & Bugle Corps World Championships at Ames Field on Aug. 4 and 5.

The competition will continue later that week at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.

The event in Michigan City will attract 26 Open Class corps from five countries. The two days of events in Michigan City will be filmed as part of a documentary, and the performances are being filmed for DVD sales, local organizer Mike Pease said.

The schedule for Monday, Aug. 4, begins with opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. at the Ames Field Fountain with "The Star Spangled Banner" and the parade of flags from the participating countries. Mayor Chuck Oberlie will issue a proclamation and DCI Executive Director Dan Acheson will speak, followed by Dave Eddelman, DCI director of open class corps.

A preview concert by at least one of 2007's medal winners and a balloon launch also are planned.

On Tuesday, the 2008 DCI World Championships begin at 2 p.m. The top 17 finishers from the 26 competitors will advance to Indianapolis. There will be a fireworks finale.

Pease said the committee needs housing sites for the corps. Any area school, business, church or group that would like to host a corps and be involved in the filming will be given a special VIP Housing Sponsor package.

So far, Pease said, Michigan City Area Schools, St. Paul Lutheran School, St. John's United Church of Christ and Queen of All Saints School are hosting corps. All housing sponsors will have their banners hung in Ames Field.

The committee also needs VIP Hospitality Room volunteers to help with food during the competition for judges, staff, TV film crews, volunteers, corporate sponsors and media. Stadium volunteers are needed to help with the corps and fans coming to the competition.

Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship packages are available to businesses and groups wishing to be a part of the filming. Thirty four national corporate sponsors, including Walt Disney World Resorts, Rubbermaid, the State of Indiana, City of Indianapolis, Wyndham Hotel Group, U.S. Marines, U.S. Army and A.J. Wright are participating.

Representatives from Walt Disney World will be in Michigan City to judge entrants for the "Spirit of Disney Award." Area businesses or groups participating will have their banner or name hung in Ames Field with Mickey Mouse.

More information is available by calling Pease at 872-1601. Tickets for the event go on sale later this spring.