Gulf Coast High band shines in Macy's Parade

After 18 months of planning and practicing, Gulf Coast High School marching band students had one of the most memorable moments of their lives Thursday morning as they marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nestled between New York City Police Department and the giant Sponge Bob balloon, the band marched across the streets of Manhattan from Central Park to Herald Square.

“It was incredible,” said Austin Gomez, assistant band director. “It was surreal. There is an energy there that you can’t put into words. You have to experience it.”

“It was really exciting because the time to march was finally here,” said Lindsey Haerle, a senior, drum major. “We worked so hard and we were finally there. It was the realization that it was for real.”

Thursday morning began early with a 3:30 a.m. practice at Herald Square, followed by breakfast and then the long wait for the parade to begin at 9 a.m. The band played "Disco Inferno" and "Funky Town" as they marched.

We were all tired right before, but as soon as we stepped off our adrenaline stepped in,” said Mackenzie Kocka, a junior, clarinet player. “Up until that point it was so surreal and then it was actually happening. We did all that hard work and it was finally happening.”

“It was a rush,” Haerle described. “It felt like time sped up.”

The band got to the staging area around 7 a.m. and stepped off shortly after 9:30. During their wait they watched performances by some of the acts nearby, including Cirque du Soleil and Panic at the Disco.

“We saw famous people on the floats and most of us could not focus on anything except them,” said Isabel Slaven, a freshman, tuba player. “We saw a lot of famous bands. Shawn Mendes was right behind us.”

"Everyone back there was so excited,” Gomez described. “The police officers were dancing.”

Once they started marching, they were amazed at the crowds lining the streets packed in from curb to buildings. About 3.5 million people watch the parade live and another 50 million see it on television.

“It was just amazing.” said Dillon Lewis, a junior, quad player. “I was looking around everywhere there were phones and videos. It was a really good feeling of being watched.”

Gomez said he was surprised at how quickly they got to Herald Square. After about six minutes in the quiet area waiting for their turn to perform, the band had their one minute and 15 seconds in the main spotlight as they performed on the green, red and gold mat. The band performed a medley of "Disco Inferno" and "Staying Alive" at Herald Square, ending the performance with a loud shout of  “Gulf Coast.”

"Herald Square was amazing,” Kocka said. “There were so many people cheering for us.”

“There is just so much going on and the energy is just electric,” Gomez added. “There are the lights and the cameras