Marksmen, St. Kevin's Loyalty Day Victors

DCN May 22, 1963

THOMPSONVILLE, Conn., May 5 - A dark, and rainy day did little to dampen the enthusiasm of spectators who lined streets here today to watch the mammoth 11th Annual Loyalty Day Parade hosted by Patrick F. Triggs V.F.W. Post #1501 under the Chairmanship of William "Duke" Ducharme. Sixteen divisions participated in the 5-hour marathon parade, which resulted in the Springfield MARKSMEN being crowned best Senior Drum Corps and ST. KEVIN'S EMERALD KNIGHTS taking home the best Junior Trophy.

In the Senior event, the Marksmen scored 93.1 over the Conn. Yankees who were second with 89.2, and the Doremus "Jersey Skeeters" who scored 88.25. The standings were exactly the same in the Senior Color Guard competition, with the Marksmen receiving 94.5, the Conn. Yankees, 94.0, and Doremus, 89.5.

Marching without their plumes in the increasing downpour, St. Kevin's took wins for both their Corps and their Color Guard. They scored 91.1 in the Corps division, with St. Ann's Loyalaires of Bridgeport coming in second with 89.2 and the Pittsfield Cavaliers, third with 89.1. In the Guard show, the Emerald Knights totaled 97.0 to defeat second-place Auburn Noteables with 95.5 and third place Pittsfield Monarchs with 95.4.

The drum and bugle corps were outclassed in the Best Drum Major contest for both Male and Female with the Male award going to the major of St. Patrick's Pipe Band of Manchester, Conn., and the Female award going to the sprightly director of the Watertown Fire Dept. Band. However, leaders of the Marksmen and Pittsfield Monarchs scored second and third respectively in the Male Major class, with Majors of the New Britain Grenadiers and the Peabody Musketeers taking runner up positions in the Female Major class.

There was also a class for independent Color Guards which was won by the Bell City Royals of Bristol, Conn., with second going to A.L. Post #21 of Danielson, Conn., and third to A.L. Post #155 of Oakville, Conn.

Other prizes which were awarded in the marathon event included: Best High School Band, East Windsor, Conn; Best Senior Band, Sons of Portugal, Bethel, Conn.; Best Twirling Majorette, Nash Engineering, Norwalk, Conn.; Best Float, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Thompsonville, Conn.; Best Drill Team, Civil Air Patrol, New Britain, Conn.

Best Allied Veterans Group, the American Legion State Dept. of Conn.; Best Fraternal Organization, Melha Temple Shrine of Springfield, Mass.; Largest Marching Unit (other than V.F.W.), Melha Temple Shrine; Best Horse Group, Melha Temple Patrol; and Best Antique Car, Tony Secondo of Thompsonville, Conn.

Marchers were invited to dry out and partake of free refreshments at the V.F.W. Post following the parade.