Macy's Thanksgiving Parade to Feature Montville Resident

When you think of Thanksgiving parades, a famous one that comes to mind is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

This year, there will be a familiar face in the parade, Dylan Casler, of Montville, will be marching as part of the University of Massachusetts Marching Band, which includes 21 members from New Jersey.

Casler plays in the pit and while UMass Marching Band has marched in three Presidential Inaugural Parades, this year is their first time in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is broadcast all over the world, according to the university.

“With nearly 400 members, the UMass Marching Band is the largest collegiate marching band in the northeast and has had the honor of winning the Sudler Trophy, which is the highest honor a college marching band can receive. The band is often referred to as the Power & Class of New England,” said UMASS in a release.

Band members hail from 18 states and three countries and they’re set to arrive in the Big Apple on Tuesday for some time to explore the city before the parade.

Want a sneak peek? Stop by the Dubliner, 45 Stone Street, in New York City from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday where the pep band will be performing. The UMass Alumni Association will also be gathering there.

On Thursday morning, the band will get up at 2:30 a.m. and assemble and rehearse at 4 a.m. for NBC in front of the Macy’s store.

Then at 7:45 a.m., the band will line to begin the parade where they will be marching down the streets of Manhattan playing a repertoire which consists of the school’s fight song, Roll Down the Field, God Bless America, and a Boston favorite: Sweet Caroline in honor of the Red Sox World Series champions this year, said UMASS.

At the Macy’s Star, the band will perform a favorite UMMB tune, Big Noise From Winnetka. Big Noise has been traditionally played at the end of every basketball game since the mid-1980’s by the hoop band and you can also catch the band on television at 11:24 a.m.

Photo Caption:

Members of the University of Massachusetts Marching Band. From left: 3rd row, Daniel Wu (Demarest), Adam Har-Zvi (Glen Rock), Neal Scheraga (Glen Rock), Dylan Casler (Montville), Morgan Farrar (Rahway), Emily Hopkins (Pennington), Katie Savarin (Cherry Hill) 2nd row: Julia Givens (Middletown), Ryan McNerney (Stanhope), Argan Pagotaisidro (Ridgewood), Carolyn Dirnfeld (Freehold), Sam Kaufman (Cherry Hill) , Spencer Weinstein (Mount Laurel), Danielle Hecht (Hillsborough) , Taylor Bertelsen (Howell).1st row:  Emily Gluck (Westfield), Morgan McGrane (Middletown), Katie Jo Prendella (Bernardsville), Julia Cardillo (Hazlet), Hope Bavier (High Bridge), and Demi Staluppi (Wayne).