MHS band to march in Detroit Thanksgiving Parade

On Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day, MHS Marching Band will be participating in America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit. The parade will start at the corner of Kirby and Woodward Avenue at 8:45 a.m.

The live broadcast of the parade will start on WDIV Channel 4 at 10 a.m. and will run until noon. WOMC radio station will also be giving a live play-by-play of the parade from 10 a.m. to noon. “A prelude to The Parade” hosted by Paul W. Smith will start at 6 a.m. and go until 9:30 a.m. on News/Talk 760 WJR. The parade can be viewed at Clickondetroit.com as well.

The Detroit Thanksgiving parade is presented by Art Van and is one of the largest parades in the United States. This holiday parade has been a tradition since 1924.

Band Director Joseph Swinkey said they received an invitation for application in the mail for the Thanksgiving parade. The marching band had to go through a long application process to get accepted, and now they must prepare.

“We will hold extra parade rehearsals as we get closer to Thanksgiving in order to make sure we are ready for the performance,” Swinkey said.

The Trojan Marching Band will play the MHS school song and “Jai Ho,” a song from one of their halftime shows.

Senior Band President Kaylee Faulk has been playing instruments since fourth grade. She plays the trumpet, french horn, piano, ukulele, and guitar.

“I’m looking forward to being in a big parade with all my friends and having my family watch me and my sister,” Faulk said.

The Trojan Marching Band has marched in this parade before, but it has been several years. The last time they participated in this parade was over 10 years ago.

Senior Vice President Blake Lambert has been playing instruments since fifth grade. He plays the trumpet and tenor saxophone.

“I think it is really cool that we are in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I believe it will be a great experience, and a memory to never forget,” Lambert said.