'Celebration in Brass' Event Returns to Waukee Tuesday

Editor's Note: This story originally ran on July 6. We're featuring it again for our weekend readers.

It's going to be a blast in Waukee this week when the "Celebration in Brass" event marches its way back to for the second year in a row.

"Celebration in Brass" is premier drum and bugle corps event showcasing the talents of competition drum corps from all over the United States. These top notch musicians will travel from as far as Arizona, Massachusetts, California and even Washington to compete right here in Waukee.

According to Dave Cunningham, president of the Waukee Band Boosters, the event has undergone some changes over the last five years. 

"Celebration in Brass originally started out in Ankeny where they did it for 20- some years before they decided to quit," he said. "Then, it went to Valley High School and they changed the name to Summer Showdown."

Cunningham said when it came to Waukee in 2011, organizers decided to restore the original name and give it a home worthy of the competition.

"We are truly honored to have this event in Waukee because it brings people from all over into our community," he said. "There will be people from all over central Iowa and from all over the state. It's a big draw for Waukee and it's great for the community."

Tuesday night, visitors can expect to hear a wide variety of music - everything from jazz to classical to pop - complete with amazing color guard, dancers and flag squads taking to the field at Waukee Stadium.

Participating in this year's competition are: The Colts, Blue Devils, Santa Clara Vanguard, Boston Crusaders, The Academy, Cascades and the Colt Cadets.

, a former Waukee High School drummer, will be competing with the Colts, the drum and bugle corps from Dubuque.

“Celebration in Brass" kicks off at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Waukee Stadium. The box office at Waukee Stadium opens at 2 p.m. the day of the show. Tickets range from $10-$40 and are available by calling (563) 582-4872. For group sales, please email tickets@colts.org.