Jacob Onoffrey knows marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of Macy’s Great American Marching Band is the chance of a lifetime.

When the Hempfield Area High School senior found out he was chosen to be part of the event, he was shocked.

“It was the biggest spark of electricity through my entire body,” said Onoffrey, who plays the French horn and mellophone. “I am very big on the marching band scene, and being part of what I’d almost call the American marching band is something I could only think of in dreams.”

The parade, which kicks off at 9 a.m. Thursday in New York, is returning to normal this year after being upended in 2020 because of the covid-19 pandemic. While it was not canceled last year, the parade was downsized to a television show with a one-block route. High school bands did not march, and balloon handlers decreased to 130 people.

This Thanksgiving, the parade route will be restored, balloon handlers reaching 2,000 people will return and crowds once again will line the streets.

Onoffrey, who is in New York City preparing for the parade, said he heard of the opportunity from his band director Brian Tychinski. In order to be considered, candidates had to submit an application and audition for the role. This year, participants must be fully vaccinated, the parade website reads.

“I actually never knew I could be a member of this organization until last year when I auditioned, which makes this first-time experience all the better,” Onoffrey said.

According to a schedule of events, participants traveled to New York on Saturday, providing time for sightseeing and rehearsals.

On the day of the parade, Onoffrey said, band members wake up at 12:30 a.m., with rehearsals beginning by 3:20 a.m. Breakfast is provided at Hard Rock Cafe.

The parade, which features 185 musicians and 40 flags and dancers, will air on NBC.

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