Fans attending this weekend's Drum Corps International World Championships at the Rose Bowl can experience just as much entertainment outside the arena's gates, in the DCI Marketplace, as inside.



Fans may be greeted by the Mentos drum line jamming at the entrance gate. One may not think that Mentos and drum corps is a natural fit, but as a company representative said, "Mentos is trying to be anywhere young adults are having fun, and DCI is a huge venue for that. When we saw this event on the list, we knew we had to be here." Mentos representatives are giving away T-shirts and, of course, Mentos.



Drum Corps International Corporate Partner Coastline Travel Advisors are giving away a free Hawaiian cruise every day during the Championship weekend. Fans can register for the cruise drawing and get a glass of Hawaiian punch, complete with umbrella, at their booth.







To ease the pain of hard stadium seats, fans stopping by Quantum Marching Products' booth Thursday can pick up a keychain redeemable for a free seat cushion on Friday and Saturday nights.



Two publications are offering special DCI subscription rates. Fans can pick up "Halftime Magazine's" debut issue for only $4.95 and purchase a full-year subscription (and get a free T-shirt!) for only $14.95. "The Instrumentalist," a first-year DCI partner, is offering one-year subscriptions at the special DCI rate of $17. Burl Gregory, a Santa Clara Vanguard alum, says that as the main magazine for band and orchestra directors, "The Instrumentalist" and DCI are a logical fit. "A survey we did a couple years ago showed that more than half of DCI corps members are music education majors," said Gregory. "This allows us to reach out to future band directors and get our name out there. Many other DCI partners advertise with us, so it just makes sense for us to be here."



Woodwind & Brasswind is a second-year DCI Tour Partner that carries every product that any drum corps plays with, plays on, spins, or wears. "Marching members are future educators, and as the retail outlet for all things marching, we get direct contact with our customer base by being involved with Drum Corps International," said Scott Kurtzweil.



And as always, fans can shop at their favorite corps' souvenir booths. Fans stopping by Cadets' booth can spin the "This I Believe" Wheel of Savings or pick up gypsy coin necklaces – affectionately called "bling" by the Glassmen souvie staff – at the Glassmen booth.



Take a tour through the marketplace with DCI's Dan Potter. (MP3)



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Contributions by Emily Tannert