Hi everyone!
Hope you are keeping safe and getting ready for the upcoming holiday season.
The Great American Drum and Bugle Corps was created for the purpose of marching in the July 4th parade in Philadelphia next summer. Along the way, we were given the chance to pick up some additional performances, which – at the time- made sense to take on and give folks more than one opportunity to perform that week. Unfortunately, one of the biggest comments we are hearing from people on the fence or unable to commit is that it is too much of a time commitment, requiring them to come in on Monday and be with the group through Sunday. So, we’re shortening it!
We understand that summertime is generally tough for many, with PTO spread out among vacations, family obligations, etc., not to mention the financial aspect. The revised week will now bring you in on Wednesday instead of Monday, and your commitments will end Friday instead of Saturday/checking out Sunday.
It’ll now be 3 / 4 days instead of a full week.
What does this mean for the schedule?
- Wednesday is the day you should be arriving. We’ll still have the welcome party that night to give people an opportunity to socialize, spend time with friends, and make new ones!
- Thursday will now be our only rehearsal day. Since we are removing the field show performance on Wednesday, that also eliminates Tuesday and Wednesday as rehearsal days.
- Friday is the parade! It will be an early, full day.
- Parade starts at 11 am. Our actual report / step-off time will not be known until we get closer to the event, but plan for a full day: bussing downtown, doing the parade, relishing in the pomp and circumstance of it all, then bussing back to the hotels.
At that point, you can choose to go your own way or, at the very least, sleep (if you are staying at the hotel) that night and leave Saturday to do what you wish!
We hope that by making these adjustments, it will allow for more attainable participation. We want to do this with as many drum corps folks as possible – so, jump on board and tell a friend! YOU ARE OUR BIGGEST AMBASSADORS!
Next steps (PLEASE read all of this thoroughly):
First: create your account here & pay the $100 non-refundable registration fee.
- You will then be directed to visit the Peak Travel Group portal – here you need to create another account, select your package (hotel / no hotel if you are local & choose not to stay at the hotel), and room occupancy.
- You have until the end of April to be paid in full with Peak!!! That allows them time to make the final arrangements with vendors.
*If you have questions about the travel packages, etc, contact them at
- Registration is being pushed out until the end of January. The last day to sign up will be January 31, 2026.
- ONCE YOU PAY THE REGISTRATION FEE, you will need to join the private participants group on Facebook – search for “GAD&BC Participants” (your payment is verified by an admin before your request to join is approved)
***The public interest group will be archived once registration closes.
- Again, YOU are our biggest ambassadors! People want to do this with someone they know, so talk it up in your circles and get on board!
Less than 8 months to go! Looking forward to making these memories together!
Sincerely,
The Board and Staff of the GAD&BC
