Lincoln High School Band Prepares for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

In anticipation of one of the nation’s most celebrated events, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a local high school band from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is preparing to make a grand performance. The Lincoln High School Marching Band has been selected to participate in the annual parade that draws millions of viewers nationwide, taking place next Thursday in New York City.

«This experience will be something these kids will never forget,» remarked Drew Balta, a band director at Lincoln High School. The band has been rigorously training for this opportunity since receiving the invitation.

Chloe Pliska, a junior drum major, highlighted the dedication involved, stating, «A lot of practice going on; we’ll also be practicing in New York when we get there.» Despite the pressure, the band intends to approach the parade performance with the same enthusiasm and professionalism as any other event. «Whether it’s our very first football game of the year or the Thanksgiving Day parade, we always want to put forth our best possible product,» asserted Dan Carlson, another band director at the school.

For students like Adilyn Damm, a senior color guard member, the parade represents a significant milestone. «It’s exciting because the last thing I do, I get to do with the people I love, doing the thing I love,» she explained.

The anticipation is palpable among the students, as highlighted by Kara Brown, a junior bass drum player, who described the experience as «very exciting getting to this point after watching the parade for so long.»

In addition to the performance, the band plans to visit key landmarks in New York City, including Ground Zero and a Broadway musical. «A lot of our students haven’t been outside of the state other than for our band activities, and many of our students have never been to New York City,» added Drew Balta.

Next week’s parade will feature 17 character balloons, 22 floats, and a lineup of celebrated musical artists and Broadway performances, promising a vibrant celebration. «Watch the whole parade and look for the band in blue,» Dan Carlson encouraged.