The Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Marching Band, better known as the “Kings of Halftime”, amazed the crowd at the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2 in Pasadena, California.
The band was among 21 others from across the United States, Mexico, and Japan to participate in the parade.
The parade, which has been a New Year’s Day tradition since the 1800’s, featured floral floats, spirited marching bands, and high-stepping equestrian units along a 5 1/2 mile route down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard.
On August 27, 2016, the band received their official Rose Parade Flag and notification that they would be the lead marching band at the prestigious event. They traveled to the Rose Parade after rallying the local community to raise the $450,000 needed to take the 200-member band, seven staff members, 20 chaperons, their instruments and equipment to Pasadena, California.
The jaw-dropping introduction of the band’s drum major line not only wowed the parade’s crowd, but sent NBC commentator, Al Roker, into a frenzy of excitement. Watch more of the band’s parade performance (and listen to Al Roker’s commentary).