MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

6:00pm FINAL REHEARSAL @ Bridgeforth Stadium

LOAD TRUCK • Tubas • Drumline • Banner • Extra megaphones, Extra uniform supplies

NOTE: ALL MRD members should plan to return to campus to depart for the trip. We will be stopping in Pennsylvania (see below) for those who live north. Individuals who live within a reasonable driving distance to NYC can opt to meet at the hotel (see below).

10:00am BUSES ARRIVE AT CONVOCATION CENTER

10:30am Leadership, Staff, BUS CAPTAINS, and KKY/TBS – meet with band staff.

11:30am MRDs report to the Convocation Center • Lunch will be provided – please pick up at the Convo A-Doors before departing. Also,

please take the sandwich you requested. Vegetarian/Gluten-Free will be separated. • Check-in with your bus captain. • Load luggage under bus – all small instruments (Flutes è Trumpets) on the bus (if

possible)

TUESDAY, November 26

THURSDAY, November 21

!!!!IMPORTANT!!!! DO NOT LEAVE INSTRUMENTS OR UNIFORMS IN YOUR DORM ROOM!

THESE WILL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26.

DORMS CLOSE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23.

12:00pm Depart for NYC

STOP @ Lehigh Valley Mall – 250 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall, PA 18052

6:00pm Arrive at Hotel – 53rd Street Entrance

CHECK-IN @ Metropolitan Ballroom (Second Floor) • Quickly unload all luggage and personal belongings – head directly inside to the

Metropolitan Ballroom. • Instruments, banner, equipment (flags) off truck, load into ballroom.

Evening Following check-in – unpack and explore the city! • Consider walking parade route (Central Park is just a few blocks north) • Explore the area around the hotel • Purchase a metro card for the subway (53rd street access) • Visit Times Square • Get some rest!!!

Breakfast on own/morning free.

12:30pm Leadership report to Metropolitan Ballroom (Second Floor) • Meeting for logistics/rehearsal prep

Tubas, Drumline, Guard, and Crews report to Ballroom • Set-up for rehearsal (Ballroom)

1:00pm MRD Rehearsal @ Metropolitan Ballroom • Parade routine • Review schedule/Review parade route and process • Distribute uniform accessories (if needed)

3:00pm Afternoon/Evening free • Consider walking parade route • Visit Columbus Circle & Macy’s (34th Street) • Get some rest!!!

Sheraton New York Hotel – Times Square 811 7th Avenue & 53rd Street New York, NY 10019 (212) 581-1000 www.sheratonnewyork.com

WEDNESDAY, November 27

PARKING: Please park in the center section closest to the A and B entrances of the lower Convocation parking lot. JMU Public Safety is aware that we will be parking there and will patrol the area during the break.

1:30am Buses report to Sheraton – 53rd Street Entrance (same as drop-off)

MRD Report to Metropolitan Ballroom • FULL Uniform • Instruments – NO CASES

1:45am Band loads buses – depart by 2pm

• Tubas – instruments on bus • Basses/Tenors – instruments in cases under bus; snares on bus. @ Drop-off . . . • Upon exiting the bus, move away from the buses (avoid congestion) • Meet in sections • Keep horns warm • Be ready to MOVE to Herald Square for rehearsal – depending on time, we may set up

the parade block before moving.

3:00am Parade Dress Rehearsal at Herald Square Breakfast will be available on the bus after rehearsal. Bring food back to hotel rooms.

IF YOU PLAN TO NAP . . . set SEVERAL ALARMS!!!!

6:30am Meet at Metropolitan Ballroom • Announcements • Uniform Check

BOARD BUSES to depart for parade

7:30am Report to staging area – Central Park West

9am-12pm MACY’S PARADE

FOLLOWING THE PARADE: • Pictures @ Post Office • Walk to Buses • Return to the hotel • All equipment/instruments that go on the truck

will need to be re-loaded at this time. • Clear out the Ballroom. • Evening Free

THURSDAY, November 28 – THANKSGIVING DAY!

THE MARCHING ROYAL DUKES will be televised at approximately 9:00am at the start of the parade, as well as at their Herald Square performance (approximately 10:00am).

Free day in City!

Consider using the hotel Concierge Desk to book tickets, tours, etc.

Return to JMU – Tentative Schedule 10am Check-out of hotel, board buses to return to Harrisonburg.

• Lunch stop en route. • Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall, PA

At JMU Dorms will be open for students to return.

• Dining Services open at 4:30pm

FRIDAY, November 29

SATURDAY, November 30

POSSIBLE PLAY-OFF SCENARIOS . . . #1 – if JMU does make it into the play-offs, and does have a game at home – ALL MRD members will return to JMU for the game (times T.B.D.) #2 – if JMU makes it into the play-offs and has an away game that is within 5-hours of NYC, the band will most likely travel from NYC to that game and then return to Harrisonburg after the game. DETAILS will be determined prior to our departure (Tuesday, November 26). CHECK YOUR E-MAIL AND THE MRD WEBSITE FOR UPDATES!