AREA STUDENTS FROM UMASS TO MARCH IN MACY’S THANKSGIVING PARADE

WAITING TO STEP OFF…Members of the University of Massachusetts Marching Band from Seekonk will be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

From left to right are:
Row 3: Erica Davignon, David Orleck (Seekonk), Jonathan Gonsalves, Timothy Lumnah, Katie Mendes, Cody Knight, Dan Saunders

Row 2: Ricky Cabral, Eddie Rouxinol, Erin Kiely, Ana Felicia Romero, Erin Moreira, Ashley Andrews (Seekonk), Chris Mitchell (Seekonk), Adam Greenberg

Row 1: Maddi Paquette, Jillian Robillard, Nichole Nuthall, Bridget Ambers (Seekonk), Nicole Correia, Liz Tavares (Seekonk)

Also not pictured here Brandon Babbin (Seekonk).

In that sea of faces passing by in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, there may be a few familiar ones.

The University of Massachusetts Marching Band, which includes 21 from Bristol County and six from the town of Seekonk, was chosen this year to march in the morning parade.

            While the band has marched in three Presidential Inaugural Parades, this year marks their first appearance in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is broadcast all over the world.

With nearly 400 members, the UMass Marching Band is the largest collegiate marching band in the northeast and has had the honor of winning the Sudler Trophy, which is the highest honor a college marching band can receive. The band is often referred to as the Power & Class of New England.        

            Band members hail from 18 states and three countries. The band is scheduled to arrive from Massachusetts on Tuesday so they have some time to explore the Big Apple before the parade.

For those wanting a preview, a pep band will be performing Wednesday night at the Dubliner, 45 Stone Street, in New York City from 4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. The UMass Alumni Association will also be gathering there.

On the morning of the Parade, the band will rise at 2:30 a.m. and assemble and rehearse at 4 a.m. for NBC in front of the Macy’s store.

            The band will be lining up at 7:45 am Thanksgiving morning to begin the parade where they will be marching down the streets of Manhattan playing a repertoire which consists of the school’s fight song, Roll Down the Field, God Bless America, and a Boston favorite: Sweet Caroline in honor of the Red Sox World Series champions this year.

            At the Macy’s Star the band will be performing a favorite UMMB tune, Big Noise From Winnetka! Big Noise has been traditionally played at the end of every basketball game since the mid-1980’s by the hoop band, and is always sure to be a crowd pleaser! Be sure to catch the band on television at 11:24 a.m. as they move and groove across the Macy’s Star.