Sac Bests Garfield For Bergen Title

by Fay & Francis O'Donnell
DCN June 5, 1963 issue

GARFIELD, N.J., May 25 - The Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights were crowned champions of Bergen County tonight by virtue of their win over the Garfield Cadets at the Bergen County Legion contest held here tonight.

The contest was opened by an exhibition by the Ridgefield Park Sr. color guard. Under the command of George Hamilton, this guard holds the current County and State titles.

With a total score of 74.45, Dumont Cadets were the first corps of the evening and their overall show is much improved from last season. One of their rifle bearers deserves a vote of confidence as she lost her shako almost on the starting line but caught it in her teeth and carried it there 'til near the end of the drill. Can't say it was dropped equipment as the shako never touched the ground! Of particular interest is their opening fanfare and off-the-line number, "El Cid."

Second Corps on - Hawthorne in miniature - were the Muchachos, who scored 71.4 for fifth place. Joe DiVito and his assistant major and the guard commanders wore their new red satin shirts with the white serapes this evening. It added a touch of color. Needless to say, the music had that Spanish sound!

What can be said of Garfield other than this: "One of their usual beautiful jobs!" Their 82.776 proved to be a second place job in the eyes of the judges, but it was first rate in the eyes of many spectators. Of these two numbers, both new, it is hard to say which is most impressive, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" or "You'll Never Walk Alone." Both are presented most effectively, both music and drill-wise.

Blessed Sacrament was named Bergen County Champions by scoring 84.883. Or at least we think that was the score as the Public Address system was not operating at the time the scores were given out! Their familiar "National Emblem" plus some old music and a bit of new made for interesting listening.

St. Lucy's Cadets had their work cut out for them by having to follow these fine Corps. A neat job with a score of 78.45 set the Cadets for third spot. On the enjoyable side we mention "Roses of Picardy" and their drill going onto the finish line - this last to the strains of "I'll Remember You."

The first exhibition was given by the Muchachos 'big brothers,' the Hawthorne Caballeros. A bit of old, a bit of new, both music and drill - and all so typically Hawthorne! For those who have asked about the return of "Peanut Vender," it's back with a wonderful different new sound.

The other exhibition was by the Skyliners and of course with their big sounds of the city. "Tenement Symphony" really had the paying public spellbound! A new addition to the color guard is Skyliners' rifleman extraordinary imported from Carver Gay Blades. Anyone who enjoys fine work with a rifle will love seeing him in action. The Skyliners were running HOT this night!

All we can say is, if this contest is an indication of the summer, it should be an interesting season!