CAN-AM Jamboree supersedes Send-Off Show
In an effort to provide more space and to more centrally locate an activity that the Ontario and Pioneer districts could cooperatively develop, the "Can-Am Jamboree" was created. While the "Send-Off Show" at Windsor's Caboto Club was very successful for many years, there was a limitation on the capacity of the hall and its location precluded many of Ontario's chapters from participating. "Can-Am" was envisioned as a whole weekend of activities, not just a "one night" send-off show. "Can-Am" would serve as the annual fund raiser for the international travel fund for both districts. The Kinsmen Hall in Chatham, Ontario was selected as the show site for a number of reasons: it was roughly halfway between Toronto and mid-Michigan; it seats 2000 people with parking for 2500 cars. Kinsmen Auditorium is in the center of a large sports complex with baseball diamonds, tennis courts, pools etc. available for challenges between chapters or choruses.
On June 6, more than 1000 people showed up for Can-Am '87, for almost ten hours of non-stop harmony, culminated by a reunion performance by the 1971 International Quartet Champion, the GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT. Saturday festivities began with a ladies' fashion show in the morning.
At 2:00 pm a massed sing was held in the football stadium next to the auditorium, with 300-500 people filling the air with song. Once everyone was in the auditorium, Chatham's KENT KORDSMEN started things off. Nine quartets and three choruses sang in the afternoon segment of the program with the GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT doing a "warm-up" performance at about 5:30 pm. Supper was served buffet style to almost 700 people in less than an hour by a local caterer. In the evening five hour blockbuster show, another 12 quartets and two choruses appeared on the stage. The GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT ended the program with another remarkable performance. By 12:30 am, everybody was finally satiated with the greatest assembly of singing talent outside of an international convention.
Convention results
 Tri-County Connection
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 Tri-County Connection
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This spring's competition held in Battle Creek had to be one of the finest—17 choruses and 15 quartets—everyone of them great! The RITZ and TRI-COUNTY CONNECTION won the honors to represent the district in Hartford, and the Detroit-Oakland GENTLEMEN SONGSTERS, under the direction of Steve Sutherland, were the district chorus champions.
 Gentlemen Songsters Dist87
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At the 49th international convention held in Hartford, the INTERSTATE RIVALS Quartet was the first place gold medalist. The WEST TOWNS Chorus from Lombard, Illinois won the chorus competition. As for the Pioneer representatives, the RITZ finished sixth and TRI-COUNTY CONNECTION placed forty-fifth in quartet competition. Wayne's RENAISSANCE Chorus, under the direction of Jim Pollard, placed fifteenth.
Back in Battle Creek in the fall, the Grand Rapids GREAT LAKES Chorus won the right to represent us at the next international convention to be held in San Antonio. Our 1987 Pioneer District quartet champions are HI-TECH.
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