Colonades

The Colonades “All Girls” drum & bugle corps traced their roots back to 1963, when the Colonials drum corps of Fairfield sponsored a winter guard called the Colonades. The corps disbanded in 1966 and the winter guard program was dissolved.

In December of 1968, Al Perrocco reorganized the Colonades as a drum and bugle corps sponsored by the George Alfred Smith American Legion Post 74. They entered the field of competition in 1969 as members of the Yankee circuit, where they placed 8^th in the “Class A” preliminary championships. The following season saw the corps move up to a  5^th finish at the 1970 Yankee contest and placed 2^nd in the Northeast circuit championships.

In 1971, the Fairfield girls competed at the World Open “Class A” prelims, finishing 36^th along with a 4^th place finish at the Northeastern circuit, placing 6^th at the 1972 Northeast contest in what proved to be a rebuilding year. Over the next two seasons, the group returned to the World Open “All Girls” class, finishing 4^th and 6^th respectively, with 6^th and 8^th place finishes at the Northeast championships.

Due to a lack of membership in 1975, the corps remained active in parades and exhibitions, returning to Northeast circuit competition from 1976 to 1979, placing 9^th (1976), 2^nd (1977 - Class B), 2^nd (1978) and 6^th (1979). They also participated in the 1978 World Open “All Girls” division, finishing 7^th in the prelims. The Colonades remained competitive regionally in their final year of existence.

In 1981, the corps reorganized as a coed unit and became the Tornadoes.

Paul Legault (DCX)

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