Congratulations to the Newport Pride Marching Band, which has been invited to participate in the 2020 London New Year’s Day Parade!
With more than 8,500 performers from 20 different countries, the parade will begin in Piccadilly, wind through the streets of London and end on Parliament Street. The formal invitation to participate was given by Duncan Sandys, Sir Winston Churchill’s great grandson and past President of the London Mayors’ Association on Oct. 26 at Newport High School’s Performing Arts Center. Along with the invitation, Sandys presented Newport with a plate from Buckingham Palace and an umbrella as a symbol of good luck.
The band was selected through a nomination and invitation process. With this invitation, the band will attend an eight day, seven night trip to London and surrounding areas for a performance and educational tour. The tour will include historic sites such as the Tower of London, the Royal Observatory, and many more. Newport’s Concert Bands will have some performance opportunities on the trip as well.