Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and local officials will welcome the 2008 Drum Corps International World Championships to Indianapolis this week as the 2007 reigning World Champions, the Blue Devils, demonstrate their percussive skills and challenge local Indianapolis participants in an exhilarating street drumming competition.
What: A welcome press conference and the inaugural Indy Drum Off will usher in the competing drum corps traveling from across the country to Central Indiana for the 2008 Drum Corps International World Championships. Additionally, the drumming skills of local Indianapolis personalities and sports mascots assembled will go head-to-head against the 2007 reigning World Champion Blue Devils. The event will kick off the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble contest at the Indiana Convention Center featuring members of the world's most elite marching music ensembles as they showcase their talent and musical skills throughout the day in downtown Indianapolis.
When: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008 – 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: The welcome press conference and the Indy Drum Off will take place on the Indiana Convention Center's Capitol Avenue Plaza, directly across the street from St. John Catholic Church along Capitol Avenue. The area is adjacent to the large steps leading up to the RCA Dome. A rain location is set for the Serpentine 2 area on the second floor of the convention center adjacent to the escalators nearest the skywalk that goes to the Hyatt.
Who: Press Conference Participants:
  • Greg Ballard, Mayor of Indianapolis
  • Dan Acheson, Executive Director & CEO of Drum Corps International
  • Don Welsh, President & CEO of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association
Drum Off Participants:
  • The Blue Devils drum line
  • Rowdy from the Indianapolis Indians
  • Bowser and the Pacemates from the Indiana Pacers
  • Freddy Fever of the Indiana Fever
  • Area media personalities
The annual World Championship Individual & Ensemble Competition will commence at the Indiana Convention Center following the press conference and Indy Drum Off event.