DCI East Weekend Recap
There is always something special in the air at the DCI Eastern Classic, especially for current Cadets and alumni. It's our biggest, most anticipated home show, full of nostalgia and anticipation. The iconic J. Birney Crum silhouette and the serene park are something out of drum corps folklore that, thankfully, continue to be the stage for DCI's final regional championship each year.
2023 was no exception -- in fact, it was the quintessential example of DCI in Allentown with all-day alumni gatherings, large crowds in the park for warm-ups, and record-breaking ticket sales.
The Cadets hosted a full weekend of events, starting with an intimate donor coffee at the home of Vicki Ferrence Ray, Cadets Alumna (Cymbal Line 1992) and Executive Director of Cadets Arts & Entertainment. In the first of what will become an annual donor-appreciation event, Vicki opened her home to everyone who made a gift to support The 2023 Cadets. Supporters were greeted by Vicki and Marketing & Development Manager Allison Broussard and enjoyed fresh, Amish pastries from the local farmer's market and a variety of refreshments the morning of The Cadets' DCI East performance.
On Saturday afternoon, The Cadets Alumni Committee welcomed all alumni and friends of the corps to a tailgate in the park. Many attendees brought coolers and food to stay all day, while others stopped by to cool off under the tents and reminisce for a few minutes before continuing on with the busy show day. It was a wonderful time of sharing stories, taking photos, toasting The 2023 Cadets, and singing the corps song together.
Meanwhile, the Holy Bass alumni held their annual gathering further into the park. Another staple of DCI East weekend, this event lasted all day and into the night.
To cap off a successful weekend for both The 2023 Cadets, who continued to solidify their fifth-place competitive position on Saturday night, and the greater Cadets Family, the Alumni Experience Committee added a new event to the weekend this year: The Cadets Alumni Reunion Brunch. Held at the beautiful Americus Hotel in downtown Allentown on Sunday morning, the reunion featured a delicious breakfast buffet and a cash bar. This new, annual event is a wonderful way to celebrate The Cadets, talk about the season, reminisce, and kick off Finals Week. So mark your calendar, and plan to attend next year on Sunday, August 4!
The Cadets Administration and Alumni Committee would like to thank every alum, supporter, fan, and family member who came out to support The Cadets this weekend and this season. We hope to see you in Indy for the 2023 DCI World Championships!
2023 Indianapolis Events:
Cadets Alumni Meet-up: Friday, August 11
