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By Ken Martinson, Marching.com Founder

Updated December 1, 2015

PASADENA, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2015) — The lineup of marching units for the 2017 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade is starting to become clear, with news reports and social media posts emerging as groups reveal they have received a coveted invitation to the spectacular New Year's Day event.

Invitations are currently being extended for the 128th Rose Parade to be held Monday, January 2, 2017.

    Related: Why January 2?
    Rose Parade has "Never on Sunday" tradition

Although the Tournament of Roses is still focused on the upcoming 2016 parade — taking place Friday, January 1, 2016 — the music committee typically extends invitations at least 15 months in advance to give marching bands enough time to raise funds and prepare for the big trip.

The Foothill High School Marching Band from Henderson, Nevada will be making its first appearance in the Rose Parade. Director Travis Pardee said he felt "excitement, elation and honor" when he received a call from the Tournament of Roses committee informing him of the band's selection.

Pardee shared the news with band members during a special assembly in mid-September, when he played a video message from 2017 Tournament of Roses President Brad Ratliff. The joyful reaction from Foothill students is captured on a YouTube video which can be viewed below.

"We are looking forward to performing in America's New Year's Celebration!" Pardee said.

Another first-time participant will be the Ooltewah High School Marching Band from Ooltewah, Tennessee. Director Joel L. Denton said the band originally applied to perform in the 2016 parade, but narrowly missed getting an invitation for that year.

"The band was a finalist [in the 2016 selection process]," Denton said. "I was asked if I wanted to carry our application over to 2017. Of course I was honored for our band to be considered. I still had to submit a 2017 application, but was able to use our video and recommendation letters from the 2016 application."

"All the people connected to the parade have been genuine and incredibly helpful to work with," Denton added. "Our entire program is honored to be included with these outstanding bands."

The following units have been publicly announced through news reports and social media for the 2017 Rose Parade lineup:

• Arcadia High School, California
• Bands of America Honor Band, USA
• Broken Arrow High School, Oklahoma
• Buhos Marching Band, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
• Foothill High School, Henderson, Nevada
• Gifu Shogyo High School Green Band, Japan
• Grove City High School, Ohio
• Marching Pride of Lawrence Township, Indianapolis, Indiana
• MLK, Jr. High School Kings of Halftime, Lithonia, Georgia
• Niceville High School, Florida
• Ooltewah High School, Tennessee
• Pulaski High School, Wisconsin
• Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, Santa Clara, California
• Westlake High School, Austin, Texas

The 2017 lineup will also include the marching bands that have a standing invitation to appear in the Rose Parade each year:

• Los Angeles Unified School District Honor Band, California
• Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band & Herald Trumpets, California
• The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band
• United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band
• The two Rose Bowl Game University Marching Bands

More marching units are expected to be announced soon, including a selection that will be revealed during the Bands of America Grand National Championships on November 14. For ongoing updates, check the Pasadena Tournament of Roses featured event profile on Marching.com and follow Marching.com on Facebook.

Looking ahead ... the deadline for bands to apply to the 2018 Rose Parade is May 31, 2016.

Photo by Marching.com.

Copyright 2015 Marching.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published or redistributed without permission.

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