Air Academy H.S. marching band heading to California to play in Rose Parade

The Air Academy High School marching band met early Tuesday morning, the day after Christmas, to practice and then leave from Colorado Springs to Pasadena, California for the Rose Parade.

This will be the second time the AAHS band performs in the prestigious New Year’s Day parade. The last time the band was there was in 1992. The band is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and with 200 current members, it’s one of the largest marching bands in the state of Colorado.

The group will be flying to California. Out of the 200 students traveling, 10 of them will be flying for the first time.

According to AAHS, the total cost of the trip was $450,000, excluding costs for family members traveling to see the band. The band raise $210,00 by selling mattresses, installing American flags, selling discount cards, selling concessions at Air Force events and sending out postcards to ask for money.

Before the Rose Parade on Jan. 1, the group will also perform at Bandfest in Pasadena on New Year’s Eve.