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Marching to a different drum

Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps travels country celebrating history

Among the traditions at the Plymouth
Fall Festival is the tempting aroma of
sweet-selling roasted almonds wafting
from the booth manned by members of
the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps.
Again this year, the renowned group
will be selling the treats to help fund
their performances throughout the area
and the country. The Plymouth Fife and
Drum Corps is an all-youth marching
musical group comprising students rang-
ing in age from 12-18. Founded in 1971,
the Fife and Drum Corps has become a The Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps traveled to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
staple in the rich history of Plymouth home this year.
and the members represent the commu- Yorktown Battlefield and American munity and proudly represent their
nity when they travel across the country Revolution Museum of Yorktown. hometown of Plymouth.
to perform. This educational tour is the highlight The Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps
Every summer, the corps members of the corps performance season, and travels many miles each year perform-
take an educational tour of the eastern the members work all year to prepare ing in numerous parades, historical and
United States, performing at many his- for it. The tour of historic and solemn patriotic celebrations, concerts, and
toric sites. The group just returned from sights in Virginia and Washington D.C. other civic events in Plymouth, the State
Virginia and Washington D.C., perform- this year was described as a unique of Michigan, and the United States. The
ing at George Washington's Mount learning opportunity for corps members. Corps performs in the Plymouth Good
Vernon, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, The teens practice Monday evening Morning America Parade on the Fourth
and James Monroe's Highland. The at Salem High School beginning in of July, in downtown Plymouth at
corps members also met with the U.S. January, marching as a group and in sep- Kellogg Park and at the Plymouth Fall
Army's Fife and Drum Corps, the Old arate sectionals for each instrument - Festival. More information about the
Guard, and viewed one of their military fifes, drums and guard. The corps pre- Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps, includ-
practices and played with their fifes and pares a special routine each year which ing videos, pictures, and a calendar of
drums corps. The musicians also visited is performed at each of the performance events, can be seen on Facebook
Arlington National Cemetery and laid a sites on the tour. Corps members not @pfdc.us.
wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown only learn about American history at The Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps
Soldier, and capped off the tour in each performance site, but they also almond booth will be open all weekend
Yorktown, VA, with performances at the interact with members of the local com- during regular festival hours.