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A South Dakota band is preparing for a trip to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Presidential Inaugural parade. Northern State University's marching band leaves town Friday night.
The band found out a month ago that it was invited to perform in the parade. They'll play a mixture of patriotic songs as they march down Pennsylvania Avenue Monday.
"It's always a surprise to get chosen with 2800 applications. I was pleasantly surprised, yes," NSU Band Director Boyd Perkins said.
Perkins says the students have been practicing since they returned from Christmas break and are ready to represent South Dakota. They've also been working hard to raise money for the trip, which costs more than $1,000 per student, but participants say the effort has been worth it.
Northern State's marching band also played in the 2005 inaugural parade for George W. Bush.
We'll have more on the band's preparations for the school's return to the national parade tonight on KELOALND News.