More than half a million spectators are expected to watch America’s Parade tomorrow in the heart of New York City. Among hundreds of featured units is the Bridgeport High School Marching Band. A group of 77 – 52 band members, chaperones and Director Chris Hayslette – arrived in the Big Apple Saturday in anticipation of the nation’s largest Veterans Day event.  

 

Participating in the parade is an experience in itself, Hayslette said, but the students are also learning about their country through some extensive sightseeing.

 

“We’ve been to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and places people don’t talk much about like Battery Park and Wall Street,” he said. “We sat on the steps where George Washington was sworn in as president. How many people really know that (New York City) was the nation’s first capitol?”

 

Other opportunities afforded to the group have been a visit  to Times Square and a performance of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. Still on today’s agenda is the 911 Memorial and possibly Chinatown and Little Italy.

 

“Tonight we are finishing the evening with a dance dinner cruise on the spirit of New York,” said Justina Ogden, band parent/chaperone. “The kids will each receive a commemorative pin and the band will receive a plaque for marching in tomorrow’s parade.”

 

The 1.3-mile procession begins at Fifth Avenue and continues to 26^th and 52^nd streets. In honor of the 200^th anniversary of the “Star Spangled Banner,” this year’s parade features a “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” theme.

 

The BHS Band will be performing “A Patriotic Salute.”

 

Festivities get under way noon.

 

“But we won’t be stepping off until 1:15 p.m. or so,” Hayslette said.  

 

The Parade, which plays a major role in raising awareness of the issues faced by all veterans - honors all eras and branches of service, with the U.S. Marine Corps as this year’s Featured Service Branch.  The Parade is a Partner of the ongoing United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.

 

This is the second time the BHS Band has been a part of the event.

 

“I believe the last time we marched in it was 2006,” Hayslette said.

 

The decision to seek the opportunity this year came about through a conversation with Fran Ventura, a New York City tour guide who works with local schools.

 

“He also works with different parades in New York City and sent me an email asking if we might be interested,” Hayslette said.

 

The event will be broadcast through nine of America’s top markets, as well as to Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals across the U.S. and to Armed Forces around the world.

 

In NYC, the parade will be broadcast live noon through 3 p.m. via Fox 5 (WNYW).

 

Watch the online stream at: http://www.myfoxny.com/.

 

A one-hour special will air Sunday, Nov. 16. Find broadcast information HERE.

 

Prior to the parade, the BHS Band will be visiting The Today Show at Rockefeller Center.