McHenry revitalized its annual Fiesta Days Celebration by bringing back "Drum Corps Magic" under the banner of the SDCA.  For three decades, the McHenry show was held out doors and featured the Midwest's top corps: Cavaliers, Royal Airs, Vanguard, Imperials, Kilties, Guardsmen, Star of Indiana...to name a few.  The last show held was in 1989 with Cavies edging Star.

Now, 20 years later, arena drum corps came to McHenry and the 400-500 fans were treated by a variety performing groups.

The show kicked off with a nice program by the Northernaires...a small corps with about 10 horns who did a fine job musically and visually.  It was great to be reacquainted with my old Kiltie pal, Gene Nason who is a lead baritone with Northernaires.

Following the Northernaires were the Crystal Lake Strikers drum line who wowed the crowd..kept them laughing, dancing and screaming for more as they struck their drums to music like "Wipe Out" and the "Electric Slide."

Next came the musical hit of the evening, the ever-popular Classic Cavaliers.  Although they performed only in "stand-still", the crowd appreciated the quality of their music...and the classic approach (ironically on b-flat horns).  They play with precision and their sound is gorgeous.

After the intermission, the Lakeshoremen took the floor.  They also were very small...again, about 10 horns...and had some real intonation problems...but their Lionel Richie tune was a hit with the crowd. I was anticipating seeing L.S. because, if I recall, they were large and very good at DCA last fall....not sure what happened.

Next up were the ever-popular kids from the Southshore Drill Team.  They put on a 30 minute performance with dance, flag work, rifle and sabre work and tumbling that took our breath away.  This is an outstanding group of performers.

Finally, the host corps, the Royal Airs, took the floor and were greatly improved over their last show in Fond du Lac.  They fielded about 20 horns; 3 snares; a couple of tenors and a couple of bass drums. Presented a new opener called "RA Chicago" and it was great.  "Watermelon Man" was okay, but it requires a more balanced sound (they needed some bari players).  Probably time to retire that piece. RA closed the show, or so we thought, with "I'll Walk With God"...but there was a huge tear between the drum line and the lower voices.  This tear probably cost RA a second place finish.  As they pretended to leave the arena, they reformed and played "Alexanders" as they marched right at the crowd..this was clever and definitely the highlight of their show. Ken Norman directed the corps and made a nice tribute to the McHenry Viscounts.

The crowd finished phoning in their votes and, ironically, the top two spots were NOT won by a drum corps...at a drum corps show.  The Strikers took the show with 38% of the vote, and Southshore was second with 18%.  Cavies and RA finished in a virtual tie for third.

It was a great night and the crowd loved it.  There were two major glitches: one involved the American Legion color guard who needed to delay the show until a rifler showed.  When he did no show, Cindy Bateman of RA grabbed her rifle and helped the Legionaires post the colors.  The other glitch really involved SDCA.  SDCA needs to have a person responsible for getting the performers to the floor in a timely fashion.

SDCA is preparing to enter its second season next year and is also looking to form an East Coast division.  SDCA is providing a great new venue which gives towns like McHenry a chance to bring drum corps and other entertainment back to their communities.  Kudos Chris and Jeff, kudos.