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About Us

The Show

This is the 33rd year of the Kiwanis Thunder of Drums competition. All competing corps are championship finalists or semi-finalists with Drum Corps International (DCI) or Drum Corps Associates (DCA) in 2023.

Fun Facts

The 2025 competition in Mankato will be the 33rd Thunder of Drums show presented by the Mankato Kiwanis Club.

Net proceeds from the show support Kiwanis youth projects including Kiwanis Camp Patterson on the shores of Lake Washington, which annually hosts more than 2,500 children during the camping season. Proceeds also support the '77 Lancers Marching Band.

Over 63,000 visitors have attended the Thunder of Drums during its

33-year run.

Housing for the corps is provided by area schools.

KIWANIS THUNDER OF DRUMS/MUSIC MART DRUM CORPS SCHOLARSHIP

The 2025 application period for the annual Kiwanis Thunder of Drums/Music Mart Drum Corps Scholarship is now open. This scholarship is available to band or color guard members to help pay the cost of tuition to participate in a Drum Corps International World Class Corps. Up to four scholarships at $250 per recipient will be awarded annually to qualifying students from high schools in the Mankato area.

To be eligible, the students must be a member of a high school band ensemble in good standing; Have received a contract offer from a Drum Corps International World Class Corps; and have completed and submitted the scholarship application by March 1st, 2025. Scholarship winners will be announced by April 1st. 

2025 marks the 33rd year of the Kiwanis Thunder of Drums, drum and bugle corps competition featuring performances by the most elite marching ensembles in the world! The Thunder of Drums is a must-see annual delight, averaging over three thousand spectators and six hundred performers, showcasing artistry, pageantry, and precision through the fusion of music, marching and choreography. The Kiwanis Thunder of Drums is produced by the Mankato Kiwanis Club with cooperation from the Mankato ’77 Lancers Marching Band.

Questions or inquiries can be directed to the Kiwanis Thunder of Drums at TODtickets@gmail.com

Scholarship applications are available via the Kiwanis Thunder of Drums website:

www.thunderofdrums.org or at The Mankato Music Mart, 1014 N. Riverfront Drive, Mankato, MN.

Download Scholarship Application

Thunder of Drums Committee

Doug Faust, Chair

Howard Haugh, Past Chair

Gail Connelly

Fuzzy Fasnacht

Ben Hoffman

John Kind

Mike Lagerquist

Rene Maes

Joe Meidl

Cory Merrill

Dan Osdoba

Cindy Shirk

Michael Thursby

Sharon Taylor

Denny Wahlstrom

All proceeds go to support Kiwanis youth projects and the Mankato 77 Lancers

The Kiwanis Thunder of Drums is presented for the enjoyment of our community.  Show guidelines may be modified as a result of guidance by Minnesota State University, or Drum Corps International. 

© 2025 by Thunder of Drums.    Powered by Wix

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