At least 1,000 people watched Ada's favorite drum and bugle corps on Sunday as the nationally-recognized artists performed "one more time" here before hitting the competition trail.
The crowd attended in spite of threat of severe storms, roads out due to flooding and road construction bordering the ONU stadium. And the rains came shortly after the performance.
• LOTS OF PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.
Following the 14-minute competition, Ada gave the Cadets a standing ovation.
The Icon understands that the Cadets have signed a two-year contract - they liked it here -and they will return for spring training in 2016 and 2017.
And, they will be back in Ada for a few days in August to prepare for DCI finals.
Earlier this year, Ohio Northern University was selected as the primary spring training site for The Cadets, one of the oldest and most honored continuously operating drum and bugle corps in the country.
The Cadets rehearsed on campus from May 14 to June 15. A program of Youth Education in the Arts, the group has members from all over the country and world.
According to David Dellifield, director of McIntosh Center at Ohio Northern, “ONU offered The Cadets everything they need for a successful spring training – multiple practice fields, a turf field stadium, meeting rooms and housing – all within walking distance of one another. It’s a perfect combination for them.”
The corps was founded in Garfield, N.J., as the Holy Name Cadets in 1934 and has won 10 American Legion National Championships and 10 Drum Corps International World Championships.
The Cadets will travel more than 14,000 miles this summer entertaining hundreds of thousands of drum corps fans throughout the nation.
