As far as reunions go, this one may be one of the most patriotic, since it takes place in America’s Hometown.
While not a battle of the bands, nine drum corps vie each year for the privilege of performing in the America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration’s annual National Senior Drum and Bugle Corps Reunion Concert.
Barbara DiRusso, the music coordinator for the reunion concert, said many groups call her asking to participate. She selects nine military drill teams to perform in the annual concert at Memorial Hall. She always tries to include one new group and four of the nine are always local.
“They all love it,” she said. “It’s the highlight of the year for most of the drum corps. They all look forward to the weekend.”
The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in Memorial Hall. This will be the first Thanksgiving reunion concert for the Holy Family Defenders Drum and Bugle Corps of Rockland. Other groups scheduled to appear include the Boston Crusaders Senior Drum & Bugle Corps, Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights, St. Kevin’s Emerald Knights, the Light Brigade, the Hawthorne Caballeros and Park City Pride.
DiRusso joined the Boston Crusaders in 1959. Although she’s no longer an active performer, she enjoys planning the reunion concert because it’s such a social event. Many performers make a weekend out of their visit to Plymouth, connecting with each other and the town.
“It’s a fabulous event. It gives everyone a chance to come together. It is a true reunion concert.”
Tickets are $27 can be bought in advance at the Memorial Hall box office or online at www.memorialhall.com.
The musical weekend starts Friday (Nov.21) night with a free concert, also in Memorial Hall, featuring U.S. Air Force performers Tops In Blue, showcasing the group’s skills for the Plymouth audience for the fourth year.
Celebration committee member John Corcoran said the Air Force Expeditionary entertainers have performed with comedian Bob Hope on USO tours and continue to travel around the world performing for troops.
“We’re very fortunate to have the Air Force’s premier showcase, Tops In Blue, back again to entertain all of us here in town,” he said. “We’ll all get to see some of the best U.S. military entertainers.”
Corcoran said the Tops In Blue, based in Texas, want to be part of America’s Hometown celebration because they understand the importance of the celebration and the history of Plymouth.
Also performing Friday night will be the Coast Guard’s ceremonial Color Guard and Drill Team. It’s the third year for this group to entertain as part of America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration.
Corcoran said the 7 p.m. Friday night concert will be great family entertainment.
The Tops in Blue and Coast Guard Honor Guard and Drill Team will also perform during opening ceremonies for the annual Thanksgiving Day parade the next day (Saturday, Nov. 22). Opening ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. on the Plymouth waterfront, about half an hour before the start of the parade.
Participating in the opening ceremonies or the parade are the commanding officers of the USS Constitution; the Navy Silver Dolphin Drill Team from the Navy Submarine School in Groton, Conn.; the 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard; the First Battalion Field Artillery National Guard unit; and the 54th Massachusetts National Guard Honor Guard representing the Massachusetts National Guard. The Coast Guard will even hold a water rescue demonstration in the harbor after the parade.
The U.S. Military will be well represented in America’s Hometown celebration weekend, as well they deserve, Corcoran said.
“We need to recognize those who serve us,” he said. “It’s very important that we not forget them.”
