The Santa Maria High School Marching Saints are packed up and ready for a Thanksgiving trip to Chicago to participate in that city’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

After spending the past year organizing, fundraising and scheduling, parents and students met recently to go over last-minute details about the itinerary and exactly how to pack for cold, and possibly snowy weather.

Rather than sleeping in and seeing family and friends over the holiday weekend like most of their fellow students, Saints Band members have opted for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, even when that means climbing aboard a bus at midnight Monday to drive to LAX for the flight to Chicago.

Their days in Chicago will be spent waking up early, walking around the Windy City to visit iconic attractions, and making music together to share with the nation, said Samantha Bunten, band and choir director.

The students say they are looking forward to the change for their Thanksgiving break; many of them will be traveling out of state and even Santa Maria for the first time.

“I’m so excited to go to Chicago because we are representing California and Santa Maria in the Chicago parade and I think that’s a big accomplishment not only for us individually but for us as a whole band,” said sophomore Viviana Ortiz.

“I’m looking forward to this trip because it offers a meaningful opportunity to travel out of state, experience a major cultural event, and create lasting memories,” said Sofia Aguilar, sophomore low brass section leader.

“I’m so excited because I get to visit one of the most famous cities in the country,” said junior Eduardo Mejia.

“I am just so grateful for the opportunities band has brought me,” said drum major Alexis Pablo Venegas, a junior.

The parade will be streamed live nationally on Pluto TV, 6 a.m.-9 a.m. PST.