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08/12/2022 12:54 PMStarting Friday, Aug. 26 and running to Saturday, Aug. 27 the annual Westbrook Tattoo and Muster will be rolling back into town. The 63rd annual parade and muster will be held Saturday, Aug. 27.
Originally formed in 1910, The Westbrook Drum Corps consists of about 20 members who dress in authentic Revolutionary-style uniforms and march and play to the beat of a drum corps like the fife and drum corps of the Revolutionary War time.
For 63 years, Westbrook has held its annual muster—the term used for when different corps get together to play medleys. This year corps from all over the East Coast and even one from Ireland will be in Westbrook to play together.
The event starts on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at Ted Lane Field with what is referred to as a tattoo.
”It’s like an opening ceremony,” explained Drum Sergeant Ben Hammel.
Historic flags will be displayed and visiting corps will get on stage and play for about 15 minutes.
On Saturday, Aug. 27, a parade will kick off at 11 a.m. from Ted Lane Field, winding through the town center before ending up back at the start. Then each of the corps in attendance will play a medley until about 5:30 p.m.
Both the tattoo and muster are open to the public, Hammel said.
“We have grandstand seating, food for sale by the Westbrook Boy Scouts, vendors, and more. It is a great event for the whole family, and a great opportunity to see a large group of corps that you would not typically get to see in one place. The Friday night Tattoo will feature four [or] five corps performing,” Hammel said.
“The evening starts with our annual flag ceremony, followed by a performance by the Westbrook Junior Colonials Fife and Drum Corps. Other corps performing this year include the Bluff Point Quahog Diggers Band, the William Diamond Jr. Fife and Drum Corps, and the Connecticut Patriots. Saturday, we have 40 corps scheduled to attend from over seven different states and one international corps,” he continued.
As for the day of the parade, Hammel explained, “The parade usually concludes by noon, and then each corps goes on stand one by one following, which lasts into the mid-evening. Following the last corps performance, an open jam session is had until 11 p.m. Jam session is when the field opens up and anyone is welcome to come on the field and play songs together as one big corp.”
A complete schedule of events can be found at www.westbrookdrumcorps.org.
Muster Pride
While fife and drum corps can be found all over the country, the majority of the corps are located in the New England area, according to Hammel. Westbrook’s corps has been recognized for its quality and usually participates in 20 to 30 events a year all over Connecticut and New England between St. Patrick’s Day and the holiday season.
While COVID threw a wrench into the plans for the 2020 muster, the group still was able to get by virtually. The event returned in person in 2021, and Hammel said it was great to be back.
“The turnout was great, and it was exciting to be able to see everyone in-person again. Only a handful of corps could not make the trip last year. This year, we are back to having nearly all invited corps attend, and we are hoping that the public is also eager and excited to come back out and enjoy the weekend,” said Hammel.
“It has been a few years since we have been able to host an international corps, and we are excited and honored to have our friends, the St. Mary's Prize Band of Limerick, Ireland this year. We typically have an international corps every few years,” he continued.