South Callaway High School's Bulldog Pride Marching Band is preparing to represent Missouri in the 2023 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
Dustijn Hollon, band director, said the band was nominated to represent Missouri by Sen. Roy Blunt in 2021.
The band was supposed to participate in the parade in 2021, but was pushed back because the band performed during the Alamo Bowl football game in San Antonio, Texas.
"We are the only Missouri band for this year," Hollon said. "...The fact that we are the only band, it's huge."
He said it is a huge honor for the band to be selected to represent the state. He added that it also puts some more pressure on them.
50 students will perform in the parade. The students range from incoming freshmen to graduating seniors. Four of the students participating will graduate at Sunday's ceremony.
During the parade, the Bulldog Pride Marching Band will play the song "Conquest." Hollon said they began preparing for this performance about a month ago.
As preparation for the parade, the band has been having additional rehearsals.
The 2023 National Memorial Day Parade will be Monday, May 29. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live.
A send-off event for the band will take place on Thursday, May 25, when the band leaves to head to Washington, D.C. The celebration will begin at 2 p.m., with the band leaving at 3 p.m.
The band will be escorted out of the county by the Callaway County Sheriff's Office. The Ameren bucket trucks will also have the large American flag held up to send the band off.
Hollon said the Fulton City Council will present a proclamation to the band in recognition of their performance. He also said that Rep. Jim Schulte will present a proclamation.