FLORENCE, Ala. (WAFF) – On to the Big Apple, the University of North Alabama’s band preparing to march in the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“Take a right at Columbia Circle and we’ll be on sixth avenue and there will be well over a million people on the parade route watching our band and others,” Dr. Lloyd Jones explains the route for the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The University of North Alabama band was hand-picked to be one of the 12 bands performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.
Over the last year, Dr. Lloyd Jones says a lot of work has been put into preparing the band.
Even creating a practice field fit for the big apple.
“There’s a star in Herald Square in front of the Macy’s Store and that’s all you get on the street as a reference so we’re painting the star on our field so we can reference that as we march through the space and figure just how far to go, how fast to go and how many steps to take and where every member of the 275 piece band will end up,” Jones explained.
After hours of drilling, marching, practicing and fundraising, the marching pride is on its way.
And while you might see some of those familiar faces on the screen, you will also hear familiar tunes: Wilson Pickett, Rolling Stones, Bob Seger–all with one thing in common.
“Our group will be playing the music of Muscle Shoals,” Jones said excitingly. “Since the hit capital of the world is right here in the Shoals. We want to give a little bit of that to America and the international audience. So we’ll have a medley of hits that came right out of the Shoals.”
Jones says the band members will also get the time of their lives while in NYC, seeing a Broadway show, the Rockettes and the once in a lifetime experience of marching in the parade.
For viewers, Jones has one message.
“We just want them to tune in and enjoy the show,” Jones encouraged. “They’re going to have the best seat in the house right there on the couch with their cup of cocoa or their cup of coffee. We just want them to know that we’re proud to represent the university, proud to represent the shoals and proud to represent Alabama.”
The band should show up some time around 9:22 to 9:52 in the morning, central time.
You can watch the parade live on WAFF 48 on Thursday morning.
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