The Rockford Show, Homecoming, Boylan, Show of Shows, The Home Show, whatever you call it, our hallmark in 2014 will include unprecedented opportunities for Phantom Regiment Alumni.

Beginning with a kick-off party on Thursday and concluding Friday with a combined performance featuring Phantom Regiment and Phantom Regiment Alumni brass players performing Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral, this home show weekend will be one to remember. Look for the show date to be announced in a few weeks.

Executive Director Rick Valenzuela and Program Director Dan Farrell have begun making plans that include lunch with the corps for visiting alumni on the day of the show with a short trivia contest pitting alumni against members. Says Ron Schulz, Alumni Assoc. president, “I think that the alumni of the organization will be surprised at how familiar the members are with corps history.”

Other plans being looked at include a short version of corps History Night and alumni ticket packages that include special seating and passes to the VIP BBQ. This year also marks the 25th edition of the Alumni Tent at Show of Shows.

The Phantom Regiment has performed at Boylan Stadium reaching as far back as 1969. Originally those performances included half-time shows for the Rockford Rams semi-pro football team mixed together with a few competitions run by Rockford’s 4th of July committee. The first Show of Shows operated by the Phantom Regiment was held there in 1976.

“Our homecoming show has grown over the years to be a lot more than just a drum corps competition,” says Tim Farrell, board president. “Year after year, it is the one chance our alumni and volunteers have to reconnect with the their past and stand again on the same ground that has hosted the corps nearly every year for over 40 years.

Now they have the added advantage of standing in and amongst the corps itself playing to the same grandstand that they played to during their youth. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I can’t wait to watch it unfold.”

All alumni should make sure their contact info as well as member history is up to date. Visit the PRAA webpage at regiment.org/praa and login.

Be sure to follow us for future updates as well – facebook.com/regiment & facebook.com/PRAlumni.