March 9, 2002 -- Lodi, NJ... The Garden State Circuit is charging ahead with renewed enthusiasm as preparations for the 2002 season were finalized today. The five-show schedule concludes with the return of the GSC Championships to Bayonne, NJ, the afternoon of July 21. Familiar Veterans Stadium has been renovated and renamed Don Ahern Stadium, and will serve as the venue for the title show.

Though lineups were set and appearance order drawn today, it is not too late for non-circuit corps to inquire about participating in these shows. Most show sponsors will accept non-member units, and the deadline for show signup is June 1.

Show signups
Show dates and contacts are:
June 22 -- Wayne or Haledon, NJ (contact Chris De Senzo, cdesenzo@mindspring.com)
July 6 -- Springfield, MA (contact Nelson Abodeeb, abbydeeb@juno.com) July 13 -- Brick, NJ (contact Roger Exposito, phoenixdir@yahoo.com)
July 20 -- Brooklyn, NY (contact Gil Sheperd, vze29j64@verizon.net)
July 21 -- Bayonne, NJ, GSC Championships (contact Tom Maiello, TNMaiello@aol.com)

Even the circuit championship event, traditionally for members only, could see expanded participation this year. A new category of circuit participation, "associate membership," has been defined, under which a corps that participates in at least one GSC show prior to championships can become eligible to compete in the 2002 championship show upon payment of $100 in dues. Full-fledged voting membership in GSC is ascertained by paying annual $175 dues, attending a minimum of two circuit shows and posting bond money to be refunded after the corps makes their scheduled contest appearances.

New corps
New and prospective members to add to the rolls in 2002 include West Virginia Sound of Huntington, who plan to participate exclusively in GSC for their inaugural season. Director Butch Dudding was present today to sign his corps up for three of the circuit's shows.

Prospective new units from South Jersey and Pennsylvania have also expressed interest in GSC, as have the Royal Knights of Washington, DC, who have two seasons of field work under their belts already...