Kenton Ridge band heads to NYC parade

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) - The Kenton Ridge High School marching band is making its way to the heart of the Big Apple.

The band is taking part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday in New York City.

"This is once in a lifetime opportunity," said Sarah Smith, who plays the piccolo for the band.  "We are never going to be able to do this again."

"Its going to be unbelievable," said Parker Bartlett, who is a drummer in the band."  It's going to be a story we can tell forever."

Family and friends sent the band along their way Monday evening in Springfield. 

More than 300 people are taking the trip including the 146 member band, their chaperones and fans.

Kenton Ridge submitted an audition tape about a year and a half ago to earn a spot in the parade.  The band is one of only 11 marching bands in the country chosen to perform.  It is the only band from Ohio in the parade. 

Supporters held signs and released balloons as the buses pulled out of Kenton Ridge High School.

Band Director Jim Templeton said the band will be performing live for a little over a minute at 10:21 a.m. Thursday.