"Band of Marauders" Marches in Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade

By Press release submission

Dec 11, 2022

Over Thanksgiving Break, around 60 students from the Mt. Vernon High School Band of Marauders traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to perform in the ABC Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Band of Marauders decided to take advantage of the proximity to New York City and top off their trip with additional memorable experiences in The Big Apple. This trip was a well-deserved vacation after over 300 hours rehearsing in their nearly six-month long marching band season. Several of the students’ families were able to join the students on this eventful trip.

The trip began at 5:30 a.m. with a twelve-hour venture to Philadelphia aboard two charter buses. Once arrived, the band wound down in their hotel prior to spending the next day touring before their big performance. On Thanksgiving day, the band members were up bright and early for the parade, which kicked off at 8:30 a.m. Thousands of people lined the streets of Philadelphia to cheer on all of the performers, including the Band of Marauders. Although the Band of Marauders did not receive air time, their performance was evidence of their many hours of hard work and was a once in a lifetime experience for the MVHS Marching Band!

Band director, Jackie Nason, says, “For the band program, this was a historic trip as it was the first time in program history that the marching band performed in a parade of this magnitude. I couldn’t have been more proud of their performance!”

At the conclusion of the parade, everyone boarded the buses again as they headed straight to New York City. Once arrived, students and families were treated to a Thanksgiving dinner cruise where they ate on a boat next to the Statue of Liberty, which was a first for many. The next day in The Big Apple was a busy one that consisted of visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Grand Central Terminal, Central Park, and finally, the Gershwin Theater. At the Gershwin, the band saw Wicked on Broadway to end their fun-filled day.

The band’s final day began with a trip to the top of the Rockefeller Center, where groups were then sent off with chaperones to spend time on 5th Avenue, Times Square and surrounding areas. Many browsed the stores NYC has to offer, while others visited places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bryant Park, and Radio City Music Hall. Their final night was then rounded off with dinner and a show at Gayle’s Broadway Rose Diner.

Jackie Nason shared, “We have really enjoyed all the support and congratulations that the community and MVCSC district has shown our students.” Nason believes that marching in this parade was only the beginning; this opportunity has opened new doors for the Band of Marauders to march in even bigger parades in the future. This trip surely was one to remember for all of the students, parents, siblings and teachers who thoroughly enjoyed many new experiences!