Lake Zurich band to march in London's New Year's Day parade

Bears will march down the streets of London on Jan. 1.

No, it's not the headline in a popular English tabloid.

Lake Zurich High School's 135 marching band members will participate in London's 2008 New Year's Day Parade.

The 22-year-old parade is perhaps the largest in the world, with up to 1 million spectators and millions more watching on television, said British organizers who visited the high school Monday to see the band perform.

"Knowing that we're going to be marching in front of a million people, that's just such an honor and it feels really good," said 17-year-old percussionist Richie Ferolo, a Lake Zurich band member for four years. "I'm very excited. I have never been overseas that far. I'm looking forward to seeing the city itself only because I've heard so much about it."

This is the second time Lake Zurich's marching band has been invited to march in London's parade. It is one of 12 marching bands from throughout the United States that will perform there.

"They are a great sensation and we are aching to have them back again," said Roger Bramble, a representative of Queen Elizabeth II's Lord Lieutenancy for Greater London, who leads England's annual parade.

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for students, said Lake Zurich Unit District 95 Superintendent Brian Knutson.

The band along with 37 parent and district chaperones will be in London Dec. 27 through Jan. 3.

A "Band-o-rama" fundraiser will be held Oct. 16 in the high school's Performing Arts Center to offset some of the travel costs. The band's trip will be funded mostly by parents and through money raised by students.