Wild weather puts damper on inaugural DCI Minnesota event

Torrential rain, thunderstorms, and a near-tornado swept through TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis Saturday, July 17, putting an early end to what otherwise would have been one of the largest drum corps events to take place in the upper Midwest in recent years. Before the start of the event, however, the skies were sunny, and local event organizer Brent Turner said fans were thrilled that an event of this caliber had come to Minneapolis. “Excitement is definitely here with more than 7,000 pre-sold tickets,” he said. [The fans] are just amazed that a show of this size has come to Minnesota.” Though the competition was cut short, 14 out of the 23 World, Open and All-Age corps managed to get their performances on the field. Open Class corps Racine Scouts kicked things off while the sky was overcast, but still bright. Following were the Colt Cadets and Legends, who wrapped up the OC competition for the evening. The atmosphere began changing considerably as Teal Sound members performed without their shakos, hoping to keep their plumes from getting wet as dark clouds gathered nearby. Then came the first of three weather-related delays, lasting for about 40 minutes. Afterward, Pioneer strolled onto the field as if nothing had happened. The corps’ front ensemble even entertained the crowd with a warm-up of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.”