PULASKI — The Pulaski marching band has become accustomed to the spotlight. They play at dozens of events every year including the town's annual Polka Days festival that attracts thousands of attendees.
Despite the busy schedule, the band has their eyes set on the annual Rose Parade in California.
The parade began in 1890 in Pasadena, California. It is held each year as a tradition around New Year's Day.
In recent parades, 21 bands from across the globe performed each year. That makes it a rare feat for Pulaski to have gone in 2007, 2012, and 2012.
Payton Horn, a senior at Pulaski, is the lead drum major for the band. She said that getting invited to the Rose Parade means a lot for the band and the school.
"This is the biggest competition for marching bands in the world," said Horn.
She said that the senior class wants this to be something that helps set up the next generation at the school for success.
"It's keeping our legacy going and setting up the band for the future," said Horn.
Director of bands at Pulaski, Tom Busch, said that they didn't know if they'd get the chance to go after the first time applying.
"The first time we applied was a no they said no thank you this is not what we're looking for," said Busch.
The next year, Rose Parade officials asked Busch why the school didn't apply again.
This time, the band was headed for the city of roses.
"The romantic aspect of a small community with a big program is something they have interest in," said Busch.
Busch said that after the first performance in the Rose Parade, the Tournament of Roses officials have become more familiar with the school and it allowed them to form a relationship.
In 2017 the president of the Tournament of Roses even visited Pulaski for the town's Polka Days festival. A festival that has had an impact all the way in the golden state.
"One of the things we feature in our show when we play in Pasadena is a medley of polkas," said Busch.
