November 7, 2015: 48 of Michigan’s competitive marching bands will descend upon Detroit for the annual MCBA State Finals competition. This Saturday has 12 hours of marching band (14+ if you count awards and breaks). A full schedule can be found here.
Parking in Ford Field lots costs $6 per vehicle. Ford Field is located at 2000 Brush Street, Detroit, MI 48226. The Parking Deck near Gate G is located at 1902 St. Aintoine Street, Detroit, MI 48226.
The day starts early, with Ticket Windows opening at 7:00 AM, and Gates opening at 7:15.
Ticket Sales will be CASH ONLY. The prices are as follows:
- Adults : $18
- Students & Seniors : $14
- Children 5 & Under : Free
Programs are available for purchase. We estimate that they will be about $6 each, with cash only sales.
Competition begins with Flight I at 8:15 AM. Flight I Awards are at 11:15 AM.
Flight II competition starts at 12:00 PM. Awards for Flight II will be at 3:00 PM.
Flight III takes the field at 3:45 PM, with Flight III Awards at 6:45 PM.
The last flight of the day, Flight IV, starts at 7:30 PM, with Awards at 10:30 PM.
We always like to advise spectators to use a down-and-in system when entering the stands around Awards ceremonies. As the 50 Yard Line is a desirable place to sit, it will fill. The exodus of fans from a particular flight can be simplified if entering fans use aisles nearer to end zones, allowing those fans leaving an easier opportunity to head up-and-out. Once exiting fans have cleared the central seating area, use empty rows to navigate toward the 50.
Ford Field is a cavernous space; conversations do carry further than you might expect. During a band’s performance, please refrain from talking in the stands. Additionally, please do not enter and exit the stands during ANY performance. If Ushers tell you to enter the stands while a band is performing, you may need to inform them of the respect that the performing band deserves and that you will kindly wait until their performance is over to enter. In some cases, you may be told that you cannot block the entrance while waiting; there is plenty of fenced area where you can stand and still see the band on the field without blocking an aisle entrance.
Memorabilia will be available at Ford Field for this year’s competition:
- MCBA Championships patches will be available for $5 each this Saturday.
- MCBA Lapel Pins will be available. They are $10 each, and sales are Cash Only.
- Apparel is available, featuring varying articles of clothing at various prices.
- Sales at Ford Field will accept Cash and Credit Cards.
- Items may also be purchased online: mcbaapparel.deco-apparel.com
- Jolesch is once again providing event photography. Parents likely received received information from directors regarding this. Jolesch usually has a booth set up at the event.
- Mr. Video appears to be filming this year’s event. DVD sales are available online now and will be available at their booth. Parents likely received information from directors already.
- It appears that DVDs this year may be of singular bands only. This is likely due to the copyright concerns that have been affecting recordings of the marching arts.
- It also appears that this event may not be live-streamed as it has in year’s past. Again, this is likely due to the copyright concerns that have affected recordings.
Saturday is going to be an exciting day, and we want to wish all bands the best of luck at Ford Field.
If you’re on Twitter, use #mcba2015 for all Tweets regarding this Saturday’s event. Follow us (@mimarching) for live updates throughout the day.