LEXINGTON, Ohio — Thanksgiving for Logan Pelphrey went beyond the scent of turkey and pumpkin pie filling the air.
The Macy’s Parade was a fixture. He dreamed of taking part someday in that American tradition with huge balloons, colorful floats, live performers and numerous bands. On Thursday, Nov. 26, Logan’s dream will come true.
The Lexington senior has been selected for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band and will participate in the 89th annual parade on Thanksgiving Day — perhaps the most famous parade in the United States.
“Our whole family is excited,” Pelphrey said.
Logan is the son of David and Cara Pelphrey, and will accompany him in New York City — so will his younger brothers, Kegan and Colton. Logan will leave for Manhattan the preceding weekend to practice with the band, and his family will join him later in the week.
“We’ll get to take a tour of New York City and see a Broadway show, Les Miserables, that will be really cool,” Logan said.
He earned an invitation by answering an online audition call. Logan, who plays the French Horn, produced an audition tape with the Mellophone (“like a trumpet only bigger”) and submitted it to YouTube last January. Pelphrey received an acceptance information packet in March that included an itinerary of his stay. He will perform with students from every state in the United States.
“I met one girl from Ohio who will be there during a clinic at Ohio State University,” Logan said.
This is just the latest in a long and impressive list of musical honors for Pelphrey. Logan participates in his high school orchestra, symphonic band, marching band and was principal chair for the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has also participated in the Capital University Honor Band, Regional Orchestra, District 10 Honor Band and has received four Superior ratings at OMEA Solo and Ensemble.
He hopes to continue his education in music at either Bowling Green or Capital University. But first, he’ll spend Nov. 22-28 in the Big Apple.
“I’ve never been to New York before,” he said. “Mainly I’ll be hanging out with the band.”
Logan was given two songs to learn for the parade, will perform on Wednesday at a preview show, and has the option to participate with a portion of the band on the Today Show.
“I grew up watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” Pelphrey said. “It’s been a dream of mine to be in the Macy’s Parade.”
