By Staff
Melissa Cason
A group of Russellville High School students have a special Thanksgiving planned this year.
The Russellville High School Marching Hundred has been selected to perform in the nation's oldest Thanksgiving Parade.
RHS band director Gary McNutt said the band would travel to Philadelphia in November to take part in the annual Thanksgiving Day parade there.
"We were one of only nine bands from around the world that were chosen to participate in the parade," McNutt said. "This is quite an honor for us."
The parade will include 11 bands, two of which are local and have participated for the past 20 years.
The parade is telecast on Philadelphia's WPVI-TV and will be shown in Philadelphia as well as other places in the New England area, McNutt said.
"This is an opportunity for our students to receive national exposure."
McNutt said the students and parents will also have a two-day tour of New York City which will include a tour of Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Statue of Liberty and the American Express Financial Tower, which includes the memorial and overlook of Ground Zero.
McNutt said the band would also tour sights in Philadelphia, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
The parade will be held on the students' last day in New England.
"I credit the hard work and sacrifice of our students for this honor," McNutt said.
He also credited the rich tradition of the Marching Hundred, which goes back over 60 years.
"The Marching Hundred has an extensive resume of major bowl and parade appearances through the decades," McNutt said.