Twirlers Marching Into South Bend
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowSouth Bend is expecting more than 4,000 visitors for the 45th annual America's Youth on Parade competition at the University of Notre Dame. Visit South Bend estimates last year's event had a $2.8 million impact on the local economy.
July 17, 2014
News Release
South Bend, Ind. — The 45th annual America's Youth on Parade (AYOP) baton twirling competition will be held at the Joyce Center on the University of Notre Dame campus next week. The competition will be taking place Tuesday, July 22 through Saturday, July 26 with more than 4,000 visitors anticipated, including competitors, judges, family and friends.
“Forty-five consecutive years in one location, one city, is truly a milestone,” says Carolyne Wallace, director of sales for Visit South Bend Mishawaka. “I can't even begin to calculate the importance of AYOP to our community, not only in terms of the economic impact over 45 years, but three and four generations of twirlers, cheerleaders and parade corps have called South Bend and Notre Dame their home for one week every summer. That's quite a legacy.”
The 2013 AYOP competition utilized 4,803 hotel room nights, and contributed an estimated $2,822,388 to the local economy. AYOP is the most impactful event of the year outside of Notre Dame home football weekends and commencement.
The National Baton Twirling Association's AYOP event brings together the best baton twirlers, teams and corps in the world for a series of National and World Open Championship contests – simultaneously in one community. Featured events include parade corps, show corps, flag corps, drill teams, rifle teams, drum contests, pom, danceline, cheerleading and the Miss Majorette of America Pageant. Contestants come from all 50 states and several nations and age categories range from Tiny Tots (ages 0-6) to collegiate.
The competition is free and open to the public, with performances taking place from 8:00am – 7:00pm each day, culminating in “the big show” on Saturday, July 26 at 5:00pm in Purcell Pavilion with all the winning performances being showcased once more.
All economic impact quantities were calculated using the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Event Impact Calculator. All information is based on local market size and other information specific to St. Joseph County to generate the most accurate numbers possible.
Source: Visit South Bend