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Effingham County Band Leads NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
About 200 Band Members Set to Perform and Visit Iconic City Landmarks
Rebel Regiment
The Rebel Regiment caps a standout season by leading New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The band went undefeated in fall competitions across Georgia and South Carolina, marking a year director Will Alford calls ‘really special.’ (File photo)

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — The Effingham County High School marching band is preparing for one of the biggest moments in the program’s history — leading the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Rebel Regiment will march down Fifth Avenue on March 17 as the parade’s honor band, escorting Grand Marshal Robert James “Bob” McCann at the front of the procession. McCann, who has built a distinguished career in financial services, currently serves as co-chairman of NewEdge Capital Group and owns Forest Creek Golf Club.

Band director William Alford said the role is a rare honor for a high school band.

“We’re considered the honor band for the parade,” Alford said. “That means we will actually usher in the grand marshal and lead the parade. It’s a pretty special opportunity.”

The parade route stretches roughly 2.5 miles along Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 79th Street, passing landmarks such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral. First held in 1762, the parade typically begins at 11 a.m. and runs into the early evening. As the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world, it features roughly 150,000 participants and draws an estimated 2 million spectators annually. Coverage is broadcast live by WNBC’s NBC 4 New York and can also be streamed on NBCNewYork.com, the NBC 4 app, and platforms such as Peacock, Roku TV and other streaming services, giving viewers nationwide access to the event.

Rebel Regiment
Will Alford, head director of the Rebel Regiment for nearly nine years, has spent 18 years at Effingham and calls leading the band in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade one of his career highlights. (Paul Kasko / Effingham Herald)

Building toward a national stage

The invitation came after parade organizers reviewed performance footage from Effingham’s band, including its appearance at the Fiesta Flambeau Parade in San Antonio two years ago. The band was named Best Out-of-State Band at that event.

“You build a résumé for these kinds of opportunities,” Alford said. “The top-tier parades are things like the Rose Bowl Parade or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. To get there, you have to take steps like this and show what your program can do.”

This year’s trip also caps a standout season for the Rebel Regiment. The band went undefeated during the fall competition season, winning all three competitions it entered in Georgia and South Carolina.

“It was an incredible season,” Alford said. “To finish a year like that and then represent our community on a stage like New York City — it’s really special.”

Preparing for the big stage

About 200 student musicians will travel to New York, with roughly 270 people making the trip including staff and chaperones. The group will ride five charter buses for the 800-mile journey north.

Rehearsals for the parade music begin next week, even as students prepare for another major performance on March 12 — the state’s Large Group Performance Evaluation at the Georgia Southern University Performing Arts Center.

“The LGPE, for us, is one of the biggest things we do all year,” Alford said.

For the parade, the band plans to perform “Battle Hymn of the Republic” while marching along the route. Since the band will be leading the parade and appearing frequently on television broadcasts, Alford said the group chose a traditional patriotic selection.

“We usually like to play things that really get the crowd involved,” he said. “But for this parade, we’re going to keep it very professional.”

First trip to NYC for many students

For many students, the trip will also be their first time visiting New York City. Junior flutist Ava Wideman said the opportunity is something the band members are excited about.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Wideman said. “Not many bands around Georgia get this chance to play somewhere else in front of so many people. It’s pretty extraordinary.”

Trip itinerary

The band will spend several days in New York City surrounding the parade.

Sunday, March 15

  • Five charter buses depart Effingham County at 7 a.m.
  • Travel to Secaucus, New Jersey (about 10 miles outside NYC), arriving at hotel around 10:30 p.m.

Monday, March 16

Tuesday, March 17: St. Patrick’s Day

  • Lead the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Fifth Avenue at 11 a.m., escorting the grand marshal
  • Visit Chelsea Piers
  • Hudson River boat cruise with views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Manhattan skyline

Wednesday, March 18

Thursday, March 19

  • Depart New York City for home
  • Scheduled return to Springfield around 11 p.m.

Representing Effingham County

ECHS Principal Gregory Manior said the trip is a point of pride not just for the band, but for the entire community.

“This is a big moment for us,” he said. “It’s historic. It shows the hard work our students, band directors, and parents have put in. We’re so proud of our kids, and we want to celebrate with them, have a great time, and show off in front of the entire nation. This is our chance to show the world what the Effingham County Rebel Regiment is all about.”

For the band members, Wideman said the experience will be unforgettable.

“It’s just so exciting, because it’s going to be a first-time experience for many of us, and we’re just stoked, just absolutely stoked to be there.”