The Blue Devils, a 21-time world champion drum and bugle corps for ages 17-21, is on tour and will spend Monday, July 15, in Great Bend, according to Greg Jewel.

Jewel is a former member of the Argonne Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps based out of Great Bend that disbanded in 1984. It was a founding member of Drum Corps International (DCI) that started in 1972, although the Rebels date back to 1947.

The Blue Devils, based in Concord, California, are scheduled to arrive in Great Bend around 2 a.m. on Monday, bringing seven buses and two semis, about 150 members and a large support staff. After camping out with sleeping bags on the gym floor, the Blue Devils will spend the day rehearsing at Great Bend High School’s Memorial Stadium and do a full run-through of their show at 7:30 p.m. 

The stadium is open to the public and Jewel recommends watching the show. “They are an amazing group.”

Other rehearsals are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

At 11:55 p.m. Monday, they will depart for Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The group has three corps, A,B and C. The A Corps will visit Great Bend. The Blue Devils (BlueDevils.org) were founded in 1957 and are the most-decorated corps in DCI history.