For the first time in the school’s history, the Parkland High School Trojan Marching Band will be performing as a featured band in the televised 6ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Day.

This parade, the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States, having been held through the Great Depression and World War II, began in 1920.

Parkland will be the fifth marching band out of 12 other marching bands performing in the parade, some traveling from Indiana, Virginia, New Jersey and Ohio.

The band will play a piece of music, a modern take on the traditional holiday song “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” specially written for Parkland High School at this special performance.

The piece, titled “Merry Gent,” was written by Parkland music teacher Mark Figueroa.

The parade is televised nationwide and can be viewed from anywhere via the telecast on 6abc.com.

Broadcast starts 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day with the pre-show. The parade will be broadcast live at 9 a.m.

“It is truly an honor to be representing Parkland for the first time in this landmark event,” said Parkland High School Band Directors Jason Lerew and Allison Figueroa.