Thirty-five drum corps from around the world are headed to Annapolis for the 48th Annual Drum Corps Associates World Championships Aug. 31 thru Sept. 2.

The three-day event will be held at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, and tickets start at $27 for preliminary rounds and $32 for the finals. 

The Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau worked for more than 13 months to lure the event away from its previous home in Rochester, NY, said bureau president Connie Del Signore.

"When we were bidding on the world championships, we went to Rochester to see what they were all about, and all weekend long we just had smiles on our faces," Del Signore said. "It's such a great, family-friendly event."

A corps can be as small as a dozen people or as large as 100," Del Signore said. "It's young people all the way up to 70 years old who will perform." 

The Drum Corps Associates have presented performances and choreography in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom since 1964.

She's hoping the event organizers will be so impressed with Annapolis that they will make the city its annual location for the championship.

"This will be a great test for us," Del Signore said.

Annapolitans can grab a free sneak preview at City Dock on Aug. 30 where four corps will perform a free concert—including the reigning DCA World Champions, the Minnesota Brass.

DCA Vice President Allen Buell predicts the event will contribute $10 million dollars to the local economy.

“They will be eating in your restaurants, shopping at your stores, and staying at hotels throughout the county," Buell said. "We invite area businesses to stock up for the nearly 12,000 drum corps members and fans that will soon be heading your way.”

Del Signore added that, "All of our hotels are booked so lots of friends, family and fans are coming."

Advance tickets for the 48th Annual DCA World Championships can be purchased online at www.dcacorps.org. They will also be available at the door.

The DCA schedule of performances at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium is as follows:

• Aug. 30, 5:00 p.m. – City Dock – Free performance

• Aug. 31, 4:00 p.m. – Individual/Ensemble and Mini Corps at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium – Free admission

• Sept. 1, 2:00 p.m. – DCA Championship Preliminary Competitions

• Sept. 2, 10:00 a.m. – The Alumni Spectacular – Field performance by several alumni corps.

• Sept. 2, 5:00 p.m. – DCA World Championship Finals featuring a pre-contest exhibition performance by the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.