Lightridge Marching Storm will travel to London, England to be one of the few American marching bands performing in the London’s New Year’s Day Parade on January 1, 2027. The 2.2 mile (3.5 kilometer) parade is a celebration of the new year with thousands of performers from all over the world.  Before the parade, the band will spend a week in London, preparing and sightseeing.

On October 28, the Lightridge Marching Storm held a ceremony to accept their formal invitation to the parade. They played their 2025 show, “I’ll Put A Spell On You,” as well as the songs “Golden” by HUNTR/X, and the Lightridge fight song. After the performance, they were addressed by US Congressman for the Virginia 10th District, Suhas Subramanyam.

“I’m so proud of the Lightridge Band,” said Subramanyam. “It’s one of the best bands in the state and the country and they deserve this honor to be able to go to London.”

Bob Bone, founder and chairman of the parade, was introduced onto the stage. He talked about how excited he was about the band and the difference in culture between UK and American marching bands. In the UK, there is a lack of marching bands due to cultural differences and a lack of “pep”.

“The actual quality of the performance of the band today was outstanding,” said Bone. “It was balanced. It was themed. It had music that you recognized.”

After talking to the band, he presented gifts to Lightridge. He gave a commemorative plate to principal Ryan Hitchman and a mug to band director Jonathan Phillip. Finally, Bone gave an umbrella to a member of the band who is the most responsible, as decided Phillip. For the next 14 months the band member has to carry it with them everywhere so that it doesn’t rain at the parade. The person chosen was Alana Fechter, a sophomore.

“I didn’t know I was receiving the award,” said Fechter. “I feel like it’s kind of an honor to be like the most responsible person in the band.”

After the presentation of gifts, Steve Summers, former Lord Mayor of Westminster and patron of the parade, formally offered the Marching Storm an invitation to participate. 

“One thank you that we can give to your amazing band is we can make them Londoners for a week,” said Summers. “They’re going to live in the heart of London.”