history of the corps: 2020s
PFDC started the 2019-2020 season strong, with many new members. The Corps again participated in several local community events, including the Plymouth Pumpkin Palooza, a corn maze and glow bowling (for fun), and the Riverview Tree Lighting Ceremony. Weekly practices were going well, with our corps members sharpening their skills in fife, drum and color guard. The Corps traveled to Lafayette, Indiana, for the 25th Anniversary of Freezer Jam, on February 15, 2020. PFDC held it’s annual fundraising dinner/dance, Turning Through Time, on March 7, 2020, which was about a month earlier than in prior years. One more regular practice was held on March 9, 2020, before it was announced that due to COVID-19, all of the schools were to be closed and a shelter in place order was issued. Sadly, as time went on, local communities began cancelling their parades. PFDC had to cancel Tour 2020, which was to be in Canada and New York. The PFDC Board extended the eligibility of the six 2020 seniors into 2021, so they would have a chance to finish out their final year in PFDC if they decided to.
The year 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps. At the beginning of 2021, we looked forward with optimism and hope that it would be a good year for the Corps. The Corps was able to resume weekly rehearsals by implementing safety measures, such as masks, temperature checks and social distancing. Many local communities held their parades again. In July, the Corps travelled west for Tour 2021. Nicknamed the “Corps of Discovery Tour,” because the route was based on the Lewis and Clark expedition, PFDC traveled to St. Louis, Missouri. The first performance was at the Gateway Arch. Later that same day, the Corps performed in Historic St. Charles, Missouri, with the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps. The next stop was Sioux City, Iowa, and a performance at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The Corps then drove to Vermillion, South Dakota, home of the University of South Dakota. A performance at the USD Summer Band Camp took place that evening in the campus performing arts theater. The next day, the Corps drove to Keystone, South Dakota, for a performance at Mount Rushmore National Park. The next day, the last performance of the Tour was at the World’s Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.
On July 31st, the Corps hosted a 50th Anniversary Reunion at the Plymouth Township Park. Corps alumni from every decade attended. Mark Petty recalled the early days of PFDC and the current Corps performed. At the end of the program, everyone participated in a jam session. It was a great afternoon of friendship, music and fun.