The Rowland High band will kick off the holidays in style on Nov. 28 with its appearance in "The Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots."
The Raider Regiment will march down famed Hollywood Boulevard beginning at 6 p.m.
Director Jason Alvo notes the award-winning band is one of the top 14 bands from around the world picked to perform.
"This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the students' musical talents," said Alvo.
This will be the first appearance by the 180-member band. The Raiders have been rehearsing a medley of holiday favorites.
"The band members are very excited about the Hollywood Christmas Parade," said Joanne Itagaki, president of the band boosters club. "My 14-year-old son Daniel plays the baritone in the band and can't wait until Sunday."
Itagaki still remembers marching in the Rose Parade when she was a member of the Los Altos High School marching band.
"It was a great memory, and now the Rowland kids can make their own memories," she enthused.
The booster's president said a dozen musicians from Alvarado Intermediate School will join the Raider Regiment for the big parade.
"They auditioned for the parade. Fortunately, we were able to find enough uniforms to fit them," Itagaki said.
Linda Chen Jow has two children marching in the parade. Her 15-year-old son, Jeremy, plays the trombone in the Raider Regiment.
"My 13-year-old daughter
Like Itagaki, Jow still remembers marching in the Rose Parade when she went to Magnolia High School in Orange County.
"It's a wonderful memory," Jow agreed.
The U-shaped parade starts on Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Drive, travels east to Vine Street, south on Vine to Sunset Boulevard and west on Sunset, back to Orange.
This year's grand marshal is the popular talk-show host Larry King. He has hosted CNN's "Larry King Live" for 25 years and has more than 50 years in broadcasting.
"We're delighted to have legendary broadcaster Larry King serve as our grand marshal. We're also proud to welcome Marine Toys for Tots as part of this year's celebration. The exceptional work they do in bringing the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children is a cause that has been embraced by communities throughout the nation," said David McKenzie, Emmy award-winning producer and president of Associated Television International, on the parade's website.
For years, Rowland High School has been an official collection center for Toys for Tots. Students invite residents to make a difference in a child's life by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at the high school any week day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 16.
An American tradition for more than 80 years, the Hollywood Christmas parade will be taped for multiple telecasts throughout December. This year's parade will be available to the largest television audience in its history.
The world premiere telecast of the parade will appear on the Hallmark Channel on Friday, Dec. 10, with an encore on the Hallmark Movie Channel.
Actor Erik Estrada ("World's Funniest Moments," "CHiPs") and television host Laura McKenzie ("World's Funniest Moments," "Laura McKenzie's Traveler") will host the parade telecast.
The popular parade features celebrities from film, television and stage, as well as award-winning bands, colorful equestrians and floats. The grand finale of the parade is an appearance by Santa Claus.
The Rowland Raider Regiment includes the marching band, concert band, color guard, dance team, drum line and jazz band. The Raider Regiment will perform in nine tournaments this year, including drum line, dance and jazz competitions.