WELLS — Following a lengthy audition process, three Wells High School students and members of the WHS color guard, Bella White, Jessica Bacon, and Mallory Cashman have been selected to be members of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band set to perform in the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. This makes the third consecutive year color guard members from Wells have been invited to perform in the famous parade in New York, watched annually by millions on network television.

“I’m extremely proud that this has become somewhat of a tradition for Wells performers to be accepted into this elite group,” said color guard coach, Bailey Smith.

The Macy’s Great American Marching Band is an all-star band comprised of the best musicians, flags and dancers from all over the United States. Each year, approximately 185 musicians plus 40 color guard flags and dancers who pass an audition are accepted into this prestigious group.

While White (flag) and Bacon (dancer) are new to this event, Cashman will perform as a flag for her second year.

“It’s really awesome,” said White about being selected. “It’s huge. It’s really exciting to be selected one of the three, not just of the State of Maine, but in our color guard in general. It’s really cool”.

“It’s just amazing overall traveling to New York with two of my best friends and my coach to experience this,” Bacon said.

The three color guard members, along with Smith as chaperone, will leave for New Jersey and New York City on Nov. 18. They will spend much of the following week in rehearsals with time allotted for sightseeing, including a visit to the 9/11 Museum. They will also take in the Broadway show “Something Rotten.” Other chaperones with Smith, will be Larry and Julie Downing.

According to Smith, there is a financial obligation for the students and chaperones to meet in order to travel to New York and perform. If any business or individual wishes to contribute to this trip, a donation check can be made payable to “Wells Color Guard” with “Macy’s” in the memo line. Donations can be mailed to: Bailey Smith; Wells High School; 200 Sanford Rd; Wells, ME 04090.

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