U-46 marching bands join forces for Chicago Thanksgiving Day parade

The marching bands of five School District U-46 high schools - Bartlett, Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin, and Streamwood - will be marching together during this year's Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade.

According to officials with the Chicago Festival Association, the organization that coordinates the annual event, this will be the largest band in the 75-year history of the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"We expect to have 325 wind instruments, 50 drummers, and a flag team of about 25. That is one big sound coming from very talented youth," said Paul Loucas, the band director at Bartlett High School.

Of course, a big sound means several rehearsals. So, where do 400 students go to practice? The Village of Bartlett has agreed to close traffic to Petersdorf Road which runs along the west side of Bartlett High School from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 26, while all five bands practice.

"Students have been working at their schools to learn the music to 'Sleigh Ride.' These two rehearsal dates will give them an opportunity to get their placements for the parade, and to practice as one large group prior to Nov. 27.

The 75th anniversary of the McDonalds Thanksgiving Parade will be broadcast live on WGN-TV beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27.