UP STATE BEAT
By Carol Merkel
DCN Sept. 12, 1962

The Livingston County Fair at CALEDONIA, N.Y. sponsored a mid-week contest August 9, which featured exhibitions by the Mineapolis-bound CRUSADERS and Rochester's Drum Corps-style band from AQUINAS, plus a contest which saw the STATESMEN defeat the ALPINE GIRLS, who were in second place, and the LANCERS in third.

The competition was held on a very, very narrow race track on a rainy evening, and all the performances were a credit to their organizations under such trying circumstances. The LANCERS in their first year of M&M, under pert girl major, Bev Passion, put on a very pleasing show.

Judging was done by the Western New York Association Judges, a group which this year has expanded their territory and reputation tremendously and looks to have a very bright future in this area.

In the parade circuit around Western New York, we have seen the birth and rise of several new parade corps this season.. In particular, we mention the OAKFIELD Junior Corps of Oakfield, N.Y., a plucky group of youngsters who in their first year have copped eight first place prizes in sixteen parades.

New instruments are in the offing for them, and their enthusiastic sponsors look to bigger and better things, including M&M, in the near future. Also being seen are the RANCHEROS of Nunda, New York, the HI-TONES of Hamlin and the BLUE ANGELS glock and drum corps of Rochester (Suburb Greece to be exact).

Congratulations to the 1962 Champions of the NEW YORK-CANADIAN ASSOCIATION CONTEST, the CRUSADERS in the Senior Division and the OPTIMISTS in the Junior . . both retained their 1961 titles.

Runners-up were the GREY KNIGHTS in the Seniors and ST. JOE'S of Batavia in the Juniors.