UNITED KINGDOM: Preparations are underway ahead of 25th Anniversary New Year’s Day Parade in London

Record ID: 449884

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Preparations are underway ahead of 25th Anniversary New Year’s Day Parade in London
  • Date: 2nd January 2011
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (DECEMBER 30, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON, ENGLAND
  • Embargoed: 17th January 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA5G8UFBJG9J81ZS1CV70K7F8GN
  • Story Text: Marching bands beat the snow blizzards in the USA to take part in London's 25th Anniversary New Year's Day Parade preparations.
    Marching bands that have beaten the blizzards in the USA gathered in Trafalgar Square, London, on Thursday (December 30) for the final rehearsal before the massive 25th Anniversary New Year's Day Parade on Saturday.
    Several hundred Californian musicians from two bands, the Riverside City College All Star Band and Etiwanda High School Marching Eagle Regiment, joined forces to blow their own trumpets in an impromptu concert, giving London a lift in the countdown to the big day.
    The heavy snow and rain in the USA has been a cause for concern for both participants and organisers of the parade.
    Bob Bone, Executive Director of the New Year's Day Parade and Festival who admitted that he was "more than worried" that the weather on the East Coast of America might have prevented bands from arriving in the United Kingdom, said he was relieved that they had all finally made it to London. Of the rehearsal, Bone said:
    "It's two of the finest bands we've got in the parade have come into the square, lunchtime today, to entertain the crowds and give them a taste of what they're going to get on the first of January."
    Band Director at Riverside City College, California, Gary Locke, said the weather back home had affected everyone's travel plans.
    "James Madison University, their flights were all cancelled and they only got here today. So, everybody's had to deal with it in a different way. There's been some luggage not arrive and so on, but we got out just before there were any problems, and we're fine and we're excited to be here," said Locke.
    Other Californian band members also commented on the weather and the problems for others from other states.
    "Because of the rain, our flights got delayed by an hour, but I really don't know about them, but I did hear they got snowed in," said Kyle Maschner, member of the Riverside College All Star Band.
    Locke said that more than a year of "talking, planning, fundraising and rehearsing" had been worth it to present people with a present. He said a very special finale was being planned that would see "the largest marching band ever seen or heard in Europe".
    "There'll be over 800 players, and we're doing a medley of tunes. One thing that's included is a little snippet from 'Les Miserables', since it's their 25th Anniversary, as well, and then it allup with, of course, with 'Land of Hope and Glory'. So, the kids are excited. The people hopefully will be excited, and it will be a great way to end the parade, but also be the starting of the New Year."
    The 25th Anniversary New Year's Day Parade with its 'silver' theme is set to light up London, with more than 8,000 performers from numerous nations expected to give the UK capital an extravagant and free family celebration.
    Marching bands and cheerleaders from across the USA will join forces with entrants representing around 20 London boroughs and performers from Europe and beyond.
    On being in the UK, Drum Major of Riverside College All Star Band, Tasha Fesunoff, said there was one London landmark she was looking forward to seeing during the parade.
    "I took a tour yesterday of the parade route and I can't wait just to walk down that street and see Big Ben," said Fesunoff.
    For some band members, it was not only their first English New Year, but also their first visit to the UK. Asked what it was like to be in London, members of the Color Guard of Riverside City College All Star Band said:
    "Cold" and "It's freezing."
    First held on January 1, 1987, The New Year's Day Parade regularly attracts more than 500,000 spectators, which include tourists, Londoners and visitors from around the UK.
    In recent years the event has been televised live around the World, with more than 500 TV channels screening part or all of the parade.
    The parade contributes in the region of 21 million pounds sterling to the local economy per annum, providing a welcome cash boost at a pivotal time for London's retail and hospitality outlets.
    London-wide charities are the beneficiaries, too, with more than 50,000 pounds sterling being generated for a variety of mayoral charities.
    The parade's route has been modified over the years, with its current 2.2 mile promenade encompassing some of the most historic backdrops through the centre of the West End.
    Starting at The Ritz Hotel at Twelve Noon, the parade will head along Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus, turn down Lower Regent Street to Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square - passed Nelson's column and along Whitehall, crossing the end of Downing Street to The Cenotaph, Parliament Street and Parliament Square.
    New Year's Day Parade is now officially the second biggest one-day event in the capital's calendar, behind The London Marathon.
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