EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – The Effingham County High School (ECHS) Rebel Regiment marching band is headed to New York in less than a week. <\/p>\n
About 200 high schoolers will march down 5th Avenue in Manhattan for the 265th New York City St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade. <\/p>\n
This is the largest parade to-date that the Rebel Regiment will participate in.<\/p>\n
In 2024, the band marched in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade in San Antonio, Texas. Their participation and execution in America\u2019s largest illuminated night parade are partially what led them to securing a spot in New York.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Will Alford, Director of Bands at ECHS, said to be considered for these big parades, they first have to apply. Part of the process for New York included a video submission of what the band is capable of.<\/p>\n
Students found out in October 2025 that they were going to be participating in the country\u2019s largest St. Patrick\u2019s Day parade.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alford said it\u2019s a huge honor for the band program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re excited to add it to our resume, but it\u2019s huge for this community to get a group like ours into New York, to watch us on live TV in front of millions of people,\u201d said Alford. \u201cNot only is it incredible for us, but also our parents, our alumni and future upcoming students and jut he community in general.\u201d<\/p>\n
150,000 people are expected to march in the New York City parade, with millions preparing to watch it in-person or live on TV.<\/p>\n
The Rebel Regiment was selected as the honor band, which means they will be positioned in front of the Grand Marshal and lead the parade along the 1.5-mile route. <\/p>\n
Alford also said it will be a great opportunity for students to show off their skills and gain more experience for bigger parades in the future. <\/p>\n
Right now, the band is focused on memorizing music and choreography for the big day, and students and staff are mostly feeling the same way about the trip.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery excited, but nervous taking a lot of people. It\u2019s a lot of stress when you have that many people going to a place such as New York, which is a place most of my students have never been,\u201d said Alford. \u201cSo, the concept of that blows their minds, and it\u2019s going to be fun to see their reaction.\u201d <\/p>\n
According to Alford, if it wasn\u2019t for support from the school district and community, the band would not be able to go to New York for this experience. <\/p>\n
The Rebel Regiment has one more rehearsal on Friday before leaving for the Big Apple on Sunday. <\/p>\n
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