One group from North Alabama will be ringing in the new year across the pond. The Huntsville High School Band will be performing in the London New Year's Day Parade on Jan. 1, 2024.
More than 200 band members, families, and staff will be traveling to London on Dec. 27, 2023. The band is planning to ship over 200 pieces of equipment.
Around 650,000 spectators will line the streets of London to watch more than 10,000 performers from 28 countries around the world. The Huntsville High Band will be performing at number five in the parade lineup.
"We are proud to represent both Huntsville City Schools and the City of Huntsville," HHS Band Director Stuart Tankesley says. "We are not only excited to perform, but we are excited to experience British culture."
The HHS band plans to take a historical tour of the city to see the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, and Hampton Court Palace. Students will also be able to see West End shows and other London sites.
The parade, now in its 38th year, will reach 500 million television broadcast and streams around the world. The parade will be carried live by American Public Television on PBS stations across the country beginning at 6 a.m. CST on New Year's Day.
Alabama Public Television (APT) is available for free over-the-air at channel 25.1.