Kids & Family

Howell's Bertelsen Joining UMASS Band in Macy's Parade

Band will perform several songs along the route including Sweet Caroline.

When the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off next week there will be at least one Howell resident taking part in the festivities.

When the University of Massachusetts Marching Band reaches the famous Macy’s Star there will be 21 residents from New Jersey in the group including Howell’s own Taylor Bertelsen. UMASS has played in Presidential Inaugural Parades three times but this is their first time coming to New York for the yearly start of the holiday season.

Bertelsen is one of 400 members of the band making them the largest marching band in the northeast and has been called the “Power & Class of New England.” New Jersey is one of 18 states and three countries represented among the band’s membership.

Find out what's happening in Howellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The group is scheduled to arrive in New York on Tuesday to see the city and beat any potential weather problems and a pep band will be playing at the Dubliner on Stone Street in Manhattan on Wednesday night. The UMASS Alumni Association will also be gathering from 4:30 until 6:30.

Performing in the parade will be a process in itself starting with a 2:30 wake-up call. The group will then rehearse at 4 a.m. in front of Macy’s before lining up for the real thing at 7:45. As they make their way through the parade route the group will play songs including Roll Down the Field, God Bless America and Sweet Caroline in honor of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

Find out what's happening in Howellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Arriving at the Macy’s star at around 11:24 the band is scheduled to play Big Noise From Winnetka which is played at the end of every basketball game by the hoop band.


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