Hanover Lancers

The Hanover Lancers drum and bugle corps was originally formed in 1920 as the Harold H. Bair American Legion (AL) Post 14 of Hanover, under the leadership of Edwin Kline.

Over the first 28 years of activity, the corps performed in parades and exhibitions, winning the 1937 & 1947 state “Class C” parade title. After a devastating fire burnt down the Post building in 1948, a concerted effort was made to rebuild as the Bair Post entered the field of competition in 1949, placing 3^rd in the “Class B” Pennsylvania State convention.

The following season saw the corps crowned the 1950 “Class B” state champions, defending their 1951 state title under their new name, the Hanover Bears, in honor of Harold “Bair”. From 1950 to 1952, the corps competed in the Eastern States circuit and from 1952 to 1954, the Bears continued participation in state “Class B” competition, finishing 4^th (1952-1953) & 7^thin 1954.

From 1955 to 1962, the corps, renamed the Hanover Lancers in 1958, once again performed as a parade and exhibition unit, re-entering the field of competition in 1963, where they finished 3^rd in the state “Class B” championships. In 1964, the corps competed in the Interstate circuit, placing 2^nd and finished 4^th in the state “Class B” contest. The Lancers won both the 1965 & 1966 state “Class B” titles, falling just short in 1967 with a 2^nd place finish.

They continued field competition in 1968 and became one of the founding members of the newly organized Red Carpet Association (RCA), placing 6^th in the 1969 championships and would go on to participate annually, finishing 10^th (1970 & 1972), 11^th (1971), 8^th (1973), 3^rd (1974), 4^th (1975), 5^th (1976) and finally winning the 1977 title. The Hanover Lancers would also compete in the DCA championships, resulting in a finalist position in 1974, placing 11^th and preliminary appearances in 1973 (17^th), 1975 (16^th), 1976 (13^th) & 1977 (15^th).

After going inactive for the 1978 season due to financial restraints, the corps reorganized as a parade unit in 1979, returning to the field in the 1980 & 1982 DCA championships, finishing in 12^th & 17^th position in the prelims, respectively. In between, the corps remained active in parades in 1981 before going inactive from 1983 to 1989.

After a corps reunion, a group of former members founded the Hanover Lancers Alumni in 1990 and had remained active since at least 2025, then known as the Lancers Alumni, opened to members at large.

Members (11)