Nearly 10,000 Competitors, Spectators and Fans to Visit Rochester

Rochester, N.Y. (Sept. 1, 2017) – Officials from Drum Corps Associates (DCA), Monroe County, the City of Rochester and Visit Rochester today announced the start of the 53rd annual DCA World Championship Weekend. The 2017 Drum Corps Associates World Championships begin Friday, September 1, and will continue through Sunday, September 3.

2017 marks the 19th year in the organization’s 50-plus year history that DCA’s World Championships have been held in Rochester, N.Y., – more than in any other city.

"We are so proud to host the Drum Corps Associates World Championships for the 19th year. There is a very strong bond between this community and the DCA and we are excited to welcome the many participants and fans to Monroe County once again. I look forward to this weekend's many competitive events and I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the outstanding entertainment this weekend provides,” said Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo.

The DCA Championship attracts approximately 10,000 people to downtown Rochester over Labor Day weekend, and drives economic impact through hotel rooms, food and drink, retail, transportation and more. Competing corps, fans and spectators traveling from across the country will make use of dozens of hotels across Rochester and Monroe County.

“We love hosting a major event like the DCA World Championships over the Labor Day holiday weekend,” said Don Jeffries, president and CEO, Visit Rochester. “The sights and sounds of drum and bugle corps will fill the air, and out-of-town guests will fill hotel rooms, restaurants and local attractions.  I cannot think of a better way to cap off a summer season filled with fun, festivals, music and sports than with a ‘major league’ marching event. On behalf of Visit Rochester, we welcome DCA competitors, spectators and fans to our community.”

“We are honored to host the Drum Corps Associates World Championships for the 19th time – more than any other city – because it brings nearly 10,000 people to our city and a special energy to our Downtown,” Mayor Lovely A. Warren said. “I would like to welcome our many visitors and thank the Drum Corps Associates for bringing this dynamic event to our city. We are looking forward to a great event.”

Festivities commence Friday evening at 6 p.m. with the Individual and Ensemble competition marching down Main Street, closing it from 5-11 p.m. This free event features individuals and small ensembles in competition on brass and/or percussion instruments or various color guard implements. Performances will take place every few minutes, filling the street, as well as the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center with musicians, dancers and fans.

Local residents are likely to see and hear the visiting drum corps at some point over the weekend.  Corps performing and competing this weekend will utilize practice sites across Monroe County, including Monroe County parks (Highland Park), City recreation centers, and Rochester City School District fields, as well as sites in the town of Irondequoit including Bishop Kearney and McAvoy Memorial Park.

On Saturday DCA's preliminary competition begins, featuring 18 of the finest all-age drum and bugle corps in the United States. Competing corps will be traveling to Rochester from Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, as well as a corps from Quebec, Canada.  A special treat for fans in 2017 is the appearance by the Kidsgrove Scouts, an award-winning corps traveling all the way to Rochester from England.

The main event for the weekend will take place on Sunday, September 3, at Capelli Sport Stadium beginning at 5:00 p.m., when the top competitive drum and bugle corps in the world compete for the title of World Champion.

“2017 is a bittersweet year for us as it will be our last championship held in Rochester for at least a little while,” said Allen Buell, Drum Corps Associates president. “That being said, we are thankful to the City of Rochester, Monroe County, and our local fans for their continued support over the years. We would like to invite everyone to come out and see the competition at Capelli Sport Stadium this weekend – it is an incredible sight that you won’t soon forget.”

Tickets for shows on Saturday and Sunday are still available and can be purchased online at rochester17.com and day-of at Capelli Sport Stadium.  For a full performance schedule and more details please visit www.rochester17.com

Drum Corps Associates

Formed in 1964, DCA is a non-profit organization which strives to provide an organization of drum & bugle corps with rules and regulations which provide for continuous progress and growth for drum corps. Using entertainment as a primary goal, DCA performances are unique and represent "state of the art" in mass appeal drum and bugle corps. DCA strives to provide performers with stimulating and rewarding social experiences, to provide a competitive outlet for performers, and to entertain and excite the audience.

Visit Rochester
Visit Rochester is the official tourism promotion agency for Greater Rochester and Monroe County. Visit Rochester is a membership organization with over 425 members representing lodging, retail, restaurants, services, and community organizations. Working together with our members and partners, we strive to provide the best experience to all visitors to our community, including both business and leisure travelers, to positively affect the economic impact of the tourism and hospitality industries.

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