About the Author: Megan Swift is an alto saxophone player in the Franklin Regional High School Marching and Concert Bands. In addition to the band, Megan enjoys musical theater and dance, cantors at church, plays tennis, and volunteers on Relay For Life’s Event Leadership Team in support of the American Cancer Society.
Our Franklin Regional Marching Band had a spectacular time at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA! Although marching in the parade was the main reason for our visit, we were also “Walkin’ on Sunshine” during our entire trip due to our many sightseeing opportunities!
After landing in LAX, we began our week’s adventure. Our first stop was Universal Studios. The live shows, extreme rides, fine dining, and shopping opportunities at CityWalk were amazing! We also visited Americana at Brand and dined and shopped in luxury! The magnificent Christmas tree and other beautiful light displays were breathtaking! Our fun continued when we toured Hollywood and saw the Walk of Fame. Did you know that Mickey Mouse is on the Walk of Fame, too? Beverly Hills was also a special sight to see and remember as we walked down Rodeo Drive as if we were the rich and famous! In contrast to the city life, we also got a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica. The beautiful ocean view and pier revealed the more tranquil aspects of California, which we loved! Also, who could forget our memorable ride on the legendary Queen Mary? This awesome, luxurious ocean liner was the ideal dinner dance cruise!
Our band performances at the Band Fest and the Rose Parade were once in a lifetime opportunities! To perform alongside other bands within and outside of the country and to be a part of the spectacular parade on national television was a dream come true for our band. We were “Walking on Sunshine” and couldn’t have been more excited and thrilled to perform in sunny California and to see its magnificent attractions. This was an incredible trip that we will never forget!
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