Local high school marching band will play in 2025 National Independence Day Parade

AMMON — A local high school marching band will have the unique opportunity to be part of the 2025 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

The Hillcrest High School Marching Band was nominated by U.S. Senator Jim Risch to represent Idaho in the patriotic parade held on July 4. The parade route includes going down Constitution Avenue and ending at the National Mall between the White House and the Washington Monument.

“(It’s) not just the honor of going and playing and representing the state, but also taking this group of young people over to the capital,” Casey Emerson, director of bands at Hillcrest High School, told EastIdahoNews.com. “Many students have barely been out of the state of Idaho. This will probably be the furthest they get to travel from home.”

Emerson, who is in his third year at Hillcrest, said they received a few emails over the summer from an agency that helps with the parade. Emerson said he believes they reach out to state senators in all the states asking for band nominations to participate in the parade.

“We had a lot of excitement from our parents and students so we went for it,” Emerson said. “We’ve been really proud of the culture and music we’ve been making over the last few years. To get to play that on a national stage is a very cool thing.”

There are about 70 students in the band program but only 50 will be traveling to Washington, D.C. Emerson is looking forward to band members being part of this tribute to America, as well as having their perspectives broadened over the course of their three-day trip.

Emerson said they plan to tour the National Mall, as well as visit Arlington National Cemetery. They will also have the chance to enjoy a fireworks celebration featuring the National Symphony Orchestra and other performers on the west lawn of the Capitol Building.

It will cost about $1,500 for each student going on this trip. Emerson mentioned families of the band members have been helping with the costs but the band is also contacting local businesses looking for sponsorships, anywhere from $500 to $1,000 donations.

The businesses will be advertised on the school marquee facing Sunnyside and on their parade banners.

For more information on becoming a sponsor, contact Emerson via email or reach out to him by calling Hillcrest High School at (208) 525-4429.

“For most of our students this is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Emerson said. “To be able to travel across the country and do this and have the community behind us means a lot to us and our families.”