MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

UNIFORM REMINDER

Please make sure your ENTIRE uniform is packed in your MRD garment bag:

____ Jacket ____ Pants ____ Shoes (in shoe packet) and black socks ____ *Shako (in hat box) and plume ____ **UnderArmour or other thermal items for under your uniform (see weather below). ____ Guard warm-ups

- DO NOT BRING YOUR MRD RAIN COAT - * HAT BOX REMINDER: Make sure to use your hat box. When stacking the shakos, the gold bands can crack easily. * * UNIFORM ACCESSORY REMINDER – we will be providing all MRDs with a fleece headband, hand warmers, foot warmers, new white gloves, and a clear plastic poncho (to be placed in your jacket pocket). This will be received at check-in at the Hotel.

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.

TUESDAY, November 26

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. You DO NOT need a JMU permit to park for the trip.

11:30am MRDs report to the Convocation Center • Lunch will be provided – please pick up your lunch and a water at the Convo B-Doors

before departing. Also, please take the sandwich you requested. All meals will be separated by type – including gluten-free requests.

• Check-in with your bus captain. • Load luggage & garment bags under bus – all small instruments (Flutes Trumpets) on

the bus (if possible). Please stack all garment bags together. 12:00pm Depart for NYC

STOP @ Lehigh Valley Mall – 250 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall, PA 18052 • Macy’s parking lot (look for the 11 buses)

3:30pm Estimated time of arrival at Lehigh Valley Mall 250 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall, PA 18052 • The buses will stop at the Macy’s Parking lot for a 30-minute break. • If you are meeting us at the mall, please make sure to be in contact with members on the

bus to verify arrival time.

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.

NOTE: if you have something loaded on the band truck, please unload your luggage into the ballroom first, then head to the truck to unload the instruments/equipment into the ballroom.

Evening Following check-in – unpack and explore the city! • Consider walking parade route (Central Park is just a few blocks north) • Explore the hotel – become familiar with the facilities. • 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.

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

WEDNESDAY, November 27

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 Open Rehearsal @ Metropolitan Ballroom • Parade routine • Review schedule/Review parade route and process

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

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

MRD Report to Metropolitan Ballroom • FULL Uniform • DO NOT USE HAND/FOOT WARMERS UNTIL PARADE TIME! • Instruments – NO CASES

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

• Tubas – instruments on bus • Basses/Tenors – instruments in cases under bus; snares on bus. • Banners under the bus

@ Drop-off . . . • Upon exiting the bus, move away from the buses (avoid congestion) • Meet in sections on the sidewalk/street • Keep horns warm – do an air/buzzing warm-up. Play softly. • 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 • Full uniform & instruments • Hand & Foot warmers • Announcements • Uniform Check BOARD BUSES to depart for parade

THURSDAY, November 28 – THANKSGIVING DAY!

It’s going to be 23-degrees for our rehearsal and parade start . . . dress accordingly.

7:30am Report to staging area – Central Park West • Upon exiting the bus, move away from the buses (avoid congestion) • Meet in sections on the sidewalk/street • We will move to the parade start to do our warm-up and stage for the parade.

9am-12pm MACY’S PARADE

FOLLOWING THE PARADE: • Pictures @ Post Office • Walk to Buses

NOTE: Tubas, Drumline, Baritones, Trombones, Mellophones, Guard, Banners, etc. WILL LOAD THE TRUCK AT THIS LOCATION – not back at the hotel.

• Return to the hotel • Clear out the Ballroom. • Evening Free

Free day in City!

Consider using the hotel Concierge Desk to book tickets, tours, etc. Also, please visit the MRD website (Macy’s Page) for some recommended attractions.

www.jmu.edu/mrd/macys.shtml

Return to JMU 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

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