NEW YORK CITY — The Pride of West Virginia lead Santa Claus in the rainy 98th edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Dean of the WVU School of Creative Arts and Media Keith Jackson said after bus trip Wednesday the band got to tour the Big Apple and take in a Rockettes show before preparing for their second appearance ever in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“The have a 3:40 a.m. rehearsal onsite to get everything ready for the cameras, then breakfast and they get in line at 7:30 a.m.,” Jackson said.
It has been rumored, but not confirmed by the university days before that the band lead Santa Claus in the parade. After days of talk Jackson confirmed the Pride of West Virginia would have an important spot for their second appearance.
“We have a very special spot in the parade- we lead off for the jolly dude in the red suit,” Jackson said.
Morgantown native, senior biology major and tuba player, Will Burton not only watched the parade as a child, but watched the Pride of West Virginia perform growing up as young child. Being e member of a the band is a special experience and adding an opportunity to march with the band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an experience of a lifetime.
“It means so much to represent the state of West Virginia in front of the national audience,” Burton said. ” Not just West Virginia I’m representing, but all my friends and all the people that got me here.”