COURTESY PHOTO
Manning Field will host the Drum Corps International Beanpot Invitational on July 4.
By MARIANNE SALZA
LYNN — Drum corps enthusiasts will be be astounded by the Drum Corps International (DCI) Beanpot International on Tuesday, July 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Manning Field (formerly Manning Bowl).
The festivities will feature the nation’s most elite drum and bugle corps. Sponsored by the Beverly Cardinal Alumni, and organized by Frank and Karen Raffa, the competition benefits scholarship funds for local students, including individuals from Lynn English High School and Lynn Classical High School.
“Drum corps is such a uniquely spectacular youth activity,” said Michael Merrett, former marching member, instructor, and judge. “Drum corps folks consider themselves the major leagues of the marching music activity. There is really nowhere else you can go to find this truly exciting form of entertainment.”
According to Cardinal Alumni president Frank Raffa, volunteers work tirelessly each year to make the event a success.
“These folks work so hard to make sure that the audience has a great time each year,” said Raffa. “We have enjoyed a long and special relationship with the city of Lynn. City officials have always been enormously accommodating and we are grateful to them for allowing us to host the show each year.”
Since 1963, when the legendary owner of Fleetwood Records, Ray Samora, hosted the World Open at Manning Bowl, many of the country’s finest drummers and bugle corps have participated in competitions, marveling listeners from throughout eastern Massachusetts.
But following the demolition of Manning Bowl, there was a time when drum corps activities were absent from the Lynn summer schedule. That hiatus saddened listeners who believed that the acoustics were ideal for drum corps.
This year, visitors will enjoy performances by Jersey Surf, from Camden County, N.J., Genesis, from Austin, Texas, The Colts, from Dubuque, Iowa, The Crossmen, from San Antonio, Texas, The Cadets, from Allentown, Pa., and Carolina Crown, from Ft. Mill, S.C. The North Star Alumni Corps, an international finalist from 1978-1980, will also be appearing in the show.
Visit DCI.org or call 978-927- 3354 for a scheduled list of events and to purchase tickets.