OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Comments which could at best be described as ill-advised by a Pennsylvania band director have created a firestorm of sorts in Ocean Springs.

George Hopkins, director of The Cadets, one of eight marching band units performing at the annual Mississippi Sound Spectacular at Greyhound Stadium next Tuesday, took to

Wednesday to express displeasure with the housing accommodations provided for his group in both Lafayette, La., and Ocean Springs -- the only two stops in the Deep South on The Cadets tour this summer.

He titled the post "Why I usually do not take the Cadets to the South."

"I am not sure why, or how, or who, or what ... but as the days get closer, it is coming to pass that our housing locations in Layfayette, LA and Ocean Spring, MS Are less than wonderful."

The Cadets typically stay at a school in the host city during performances, meaning the "housing" he refers to in Ocean Springs is the new $50 million high school which just opened last August.

In addition, although another of the performing units had already "booked" the stadium for practice during the day of the show next Tuesday, students from OSHS were lining off the two full football fields behind the school Thursday for use by The Cadets for practice.

Hopkins' post immediately drew sharp, angry and occasionally profane responses from people in Ocean Springs and in the South in general. A sampling:

"What an asinine post. This is something best kept behind the scenes if you're not happy with your facilities. Very disrespectful! Nice to see recent success hasn't gone to your head. My recommendation, stop using your south end to do your thinking for you."

Another:

"I planned to go to the show again this year. As a former band member and a lifelong fan of the Cadets, after reading this post, I have decided that I will pass this year. And yes, I live in Ocean Springs. There were so many better ways to go about this than your arrogant posting. If you had only asked nicely, you would have found that, as a whole, we Southerners are a generous, caring group of people."

And this:

"This post was extremely unprofessional of you and you have now misrepresented the corps and the alumni. It seems that you have lost what drum corps is about, having a great show, and bringing great music to fans and kids who are the future of drum corps. It seems you have gotten a little too big for your britches. So I say, if you don't like the south, stay out. We will gladly host any other corps, and what we may lack in a million dollar facility, we make up for with heart, and hospitality."

Ocean Springs band director Joe Cacibauda, who started the Mississippi Sound Spectacular six years ago, said his phone started "blowing up" Wednesday with irate band parents wanting to talk to him about Hopkins' comments.

"He's insulted me, he's insulted Ocean Springs, Mississippi, the South and the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, where they're staying over there," Cacibauda said. "I was very offended by it, but I'm not going to play the Harry high school drama game on Facebook.

"It's just another cut against the South and how people from other places view Mississippi. It's not fair to the people who work so hard to put this together."

Cacibauda said The Cadets have participated in the show in previous years. The Cadets were one of three marching groups staying in Ocean Springs schools, with the two others staying at the upper elementary and the middle school.

In addition, at least one current member of The Cadets is known to be an Ocean Springs native.

"When The Cadets called I told them we're in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility, with practice fields," Cacibauda said.

By Friday morning, however, Hopkins announced on Facebook that The Cadets will not be staying in Ocean Springs, instead staying at Alma Bryant High School in Irvington, Ala. They will travel from Irvington to Ocean Springs on Tuesday to participate in the show and then immediately return to Irvington.

No phone number or email for Hopkins was available through The Cadets Facebook page or website. A Facebook message was left for Hopkins by The Mississippi Press seeking comment, but by Friday morning no response had been received.

He did, however, take to Facebook Thursday to offer what he apparently considered an apology -- although most who read it thought it was just another shot at Ocean Springs and the South.

That post he titled "The South is NOT PLEASED with me."

"Hey all .. sorry, If I was a bit pointed in my generic evaluation of Southern Housing Sites," Hopkins wrote. "Indeed, we have two shows this year across the Gulf and they both are a problem. In the past we have had problems and it is indeed, why I do not venture that way all too often."

Again, reaction on Facebook was swift.

"Love the so called "apology". Other than saying "hey all...sorry" there is nothing heartfelt," read one of the posts.

Ocean Springs Superintendent Bonita Coleman-Potter had spoken with some Ocean Springs band booster members who had filled her in on Hopkins' comments and she, too, found them insulting, but urged the community to take the high road.

"This is an opportunity for us to educate this gentleman on what we have here in the South and what we're about," Coleman-Potter said. "What I don't want to have happen is people boycotting the show, because it's about the kids, not the director."

The Mississippi Sound Spectacular is a part of the Drum Corps International competitions and also serves as a major fundraiser for OSHS' Blue-Grey Pride Band each year.

"I don't want Hopkins to be a reflection of the entire Corps," Cacibauda said. "I appreciate the participation of The Cadets."

The Mississippi Sound Spectacular begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday.