Thousands of competitors and spectators to visit Rochester over Labor Day Weekend
Rochester, N.Y. – Local leaders and representatives from Drum Corp Associates (DCA), Monroe County, the City of Rochester and Visit Rochester announced the start of the DCA World Championships Weekend, which runs Sept. 1-3, 2023 across downtown Rochester.
The 2023 DCA Championships will bring dozens of competitive drum and bugle corps from across the country to Rochester and Monroe County. The event is expected to draw over 4,000 attendees and fans over the course of the competition weekend.
Festivities kick off on Friday evening with free performances at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Ticketed championship events will be held on Sat., Sept. 2 and Sun., Sept. 3 at Rochester Community Sports Complex.
“For years the Drum Corps Associates World Championships have been entertaining audiences in Rochester and we welcome them back again this Labor Day Weekend,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “The DCA provides affordable, family-friendly entertainment at an elite level for our residents, while bringing thousands of competitors, spectators and families to our community who impact our economy by shopping at our stores, staying in our hotels and eating at our restaurants. This weekend promises to be a good time for all.”
“We are always honored to welcome the DCA World Championships to Rochester,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “It’s a thrill for us to host the best drum and bugle corps from around the country – and the world. The entertainment value of the DCA is second to none and the economic boost this event provides is very important to our small businesses, restaurants, and hotels.”
New for 2023, the DCA Championship Weekend will feature a special musical tribute to Rochester musical icon, Chuck Mangione. The musical tribute to Mangione will be offered as part of the DCA Individual/Ensemble & Mini-Corps Competition, a FREE performance for the Rochester community by visiting musicians. The I&E and Mini Corps Competition begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The Chuck Mangione Tribute Performance begins around 8:00 p.m.
“Visit Rochester is delighted to welcome Drum Corps competitors, spectators and fans to Rochester this Labor Day Weekend,” said Don Jeffries, president and CEO, Visit Rochester. “The DCA Championship is the premiere event of competitive drum and bugle corps, and we are honored to host the Championship right here in Rochester,” Jeffries said.
“DCA is thrilled to be back in Rochester for our World Championships,” said John Carr, Drum Corps Associates president. “We invite the entire Greater Rochester community to come out this weekend and see the competition! And the tribute performance to Rochester musical legend Chuck Mangione during the free I&E performances at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center on Friday, Sept. 1 is sure to be a highlight of the weekend,” Carr added.
The sounds of drum and bugle corps will fill the air this weekend as competing drum corps will utilize practice sites across Monroe County, including Monroe County parks, City recreation centers, and Rochester City School District fields. Sites in area towns including Town of Chili, Penfield, Gates and Town of Henrietta, and fields at both Total Sports Experience and Bishop Kearney will also be used as practice sites.
The main event for the weekend will take place on Sunday, September 3, at the Rochester Community Sports Complex beginning at 5:00 p.m., when the top competitive drum and bugle corps in the world compete for the title of World Champion.
Tickets for shows on Saturday and Sunday are still available and can be purchased on-line at https://dcacorps.org/tickets and day-of at the Rochester Community Sports Complex.
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ABOUT VISIT ROCHESTER
Visit Rochester is the official tourism promotion agency for Greater Rochester and Monroe County. Visit Rochester is a membership organization with over 400 members representing, lodging, retail, restaurants, services, and community organizations. Working together with our members and partners, our mission is to sell and market Greater Rochester as a preferred destination in order to grow and maximize visitor spending and to enhance the economy. To learn more, go to visitrochester.com.
ABOUT 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.
DCA Contact:
John Carr
President, Drum Corp Associates
Visit Rochester:
Rachel Laber, Visit Rochester
