Lincoln-Way Marching Band Rose Bowl Bound

NEW LENOX, IL — Everything was coming up roses for young Lincoln-Way musicians on Wednesday afternoon, when members of the Lincoln-Way Marching Band found out they have been invited to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2019. Members of the band were handed a single red rose while gathered in the Lincoln-Way Central Auditorium before hearing the official announcement. The parade is the largest in the world and generally considered the highest honor for high school bands across the country.

"The Rose Parade is the premier event for high school marching bands," Lincoln-Way Marching Band Director Justin Barnish said. "We could not be more proud of all of our current and former students who helped (the band) receive this invitation. We all are proud to continue the strong history of the Lincoln-Way band participating in the Rose Parade."

It's not the first time the Lincoln-Way band has received the honor. They first attended the annual New Year's Day parade in 1982 and were invited back again in 2000.

“I’m at a loss for words," Junior Hailey Woock said. "I’m excited to continue on our legacy. Lincoln-Way has so much history and so much pride; now we get to start this next chapter and represent Lincoln-Way in front of millions of people.”

Lincoln-Way was selected as one of only nine high school bands to be invited to the 2019 parade. Band directors remember receiving work of the invite two weeks before notifying the students.

“When I saw a Pasadena number on the phone my heart started racing," Director Dr. Bert Johnson said. "I turned to the other directors and began fist pumping with a giant smile on my face."

The Tournament of Roses Parade is an iconic event, and the 2019 version will mark its 130th anniversary. The parade itself is a 5 1/2 mile trek in Pasadena, California that is largely centered on a huge stretch of Colorado Boulevard. More than 700,000 spectators will pay for their seats. A holiday tradition across the globe, the parade is a worldwide event that will be broadcast in 217 countries.

It may be Lincoln-Way's third trip to the "granddaddy of them all," but they aren't the only band from the Southland to have received an invite. Marist High School participated in the parade in 2002 and Marian Catholic did so a few years later.

ALSO ON PATCH: Mr. Manna's Opus — A History Of The Legendary Marist Band

Photo via Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210