Participants of the 2026 Parade

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The fearless and feared Centurion in his iconic Roman legionnaire’s uniform flies above the crowds ever-ready to form the famous impenetrable turtle battle formation to protect Rome from any marauding barbarians.

Megaflatables are one of the market leaders in inflatable advertising, supplying every conceivable shape and size balloon, blimp, even including an inflatable projection screen, to over 40 countries worldwide. Their motto is ‘if you can think it, we can make it’. Megaflatables are excited to be taking part in Rome Parade once again. As always, it is the highlight of our year!

Website: www.megaflatables.com

Twitter: @megaflatables1

Instagram: @megaflatables

About:

New Orleans non-profit dance group, Disco Amigos, performs in parades, at events, and for charitable purposes. We are dedicated to the celebration of the dance, music, and culture of the Disco era. Our mission is to foster an inclusive, respectful, and caring environment for members to create, produce, and share performances inspired by Disco.

Disco Amigos members designed and built an enormous glittering Disco Ball on wheels that accompanies our dancers down the streets of New Orleans. The Disco Ball has become synonymous with the joy we bring to our citizens.

About the Band Director:

Maureen Missavage

The Disco themed dances by Disco Amigos are divided into three categories – parade, performance, and line dances. Parade dances are moving dances performed on the streets during Mardi Gras and other parades. Performance dances are presented in place at non-parade events. Line dances encourage crowd participation.

Social Media:

Website:

DiscoAmigosNola

Facebook:

DiscoAmigosNola

TikTok:

DiscoAmigosNola

Instagram:

DiscoAmigosNola

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Brandishing his trident, shield and stern face our Gladiator is always on the alert and ready to fight for his life to entertain the crowds. Will Caesar give him a closed fist or an open hand to let him fight another day.

Megaflatables are one of the market leaders in inflatable advertising, supplying every conceivable shape and size balloon, blimp, even including an inflatable projection screen, to over 40 countries worldwide. Their motto is ‘if you can think it, we can make it’. Megaflatables are excited to be taking part in Rome Parade once again. As always, it is the highlight of our year!

Website: www.megaflatables.com

Twitter: @megaflatables1

Instagram: @megaflatables

About:

The group “I Caferza” was founded in 1998 within the G. Braga Choral Association of Giulianova. Singing, playing, and strumming the music and traditions of our land, we have been having fun for years while spreading JOY to homes and town squares.

The name Caferza is an acronym that stands for Cafoni e rimasugli zotici assortiti (roughly, “rustic and assorted country folks”). For us, Abruzzese folk music is a living treasure, capable of telling stories of life, traditions, and passions. Its captivating melodies and rhythms unite us and bring us back to our roots.

About the Band Director:

Mirko Tarquini

Mirko is one of the “founding members” of the choir who, back in 1988, created the group I Caferza. His passion for Abruzzese folk music has led him to become the current President of the Association. 50 years old, 1 wife, 3 children, 2 dogs, and one BIG Caferza family.

Social Media:

Website:

icaferza

Facebook:

icaferza

Instagram:

icaferza

YouTube:

icaferza

About:

La Frustica was founded in 1993 in Faleria, Italy and is directed by Maestro Sergio Belardi. The group has performed in events both nationally and internationally including the Columbus Day Parade in New York City, USA, which they have now done on two occasions, the Chinese New Year Celebrations in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China, the Festival Bande Albertville, in Bucharest, Torrevieja, and Côte d’Azur and the famous carnivals in Nice, Murcia, Viareggio, Ivrea and Acireale. Monica Rizzi has been the group’s choreographer since 2008. Having Monica on board has enabled La Frustica to take part in many versions of the Musikparade across Germany and Belgium.

About the Director:

Sergio Belardi is a native of Faleria and has live there all his life. He graduated with distinction from the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia, Rome, in clarinet. In 1979, Signor Belardi joined the prestigious Band of the Carabinieri. He has been artistic director of “La Frustica” since 1993 and toured with them all over the world. He is also the artistic director of another Faleria band, the Brasilino Severini Music Band and was recently appointed Honorary Director of the Los Salerosos Musical Band of Torrevieja, Spain.

Social Media:

Website: www.frustica.it

Facebook: Frustica Faleria

About:

We are a High School Band Program from Key West, Florida, the southernmost City in the continental United States. We put on over 35 performances a year with 120 students in our Marching Band, Jazz Band, Colorguard, Drumline, and Concert Bands.

Our school’s mascot is the Conch, a local ocean mollusk (snail).

About the Band Director:

Gary Hernandez

Gary Hernandez is in his 22nd year teaching music and 17th year at his alma mater, Key West High School. A three-time graduate of the University of Central Florida, he holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Music, and a master’s in Music Teaching.

Social Media:

Website:

Key West Band

Facebook:

Key West Band

Instagram:

Key West Band

About:

We come from the heart of the Valdichiana, Bettolle (Siena). Our group strives to keep the band tradition alive while also embracing new ideas, both in training and musical repertoire. We particularly enjoy performing pieces from Italian and international pop, as well as South American and swing rhythms. Our music is accompanied by the beat of our “wheeled” percussion section and by the choreography of our majorettes and color guards – that’s why we love to call ourselves a show band.

A few years ago, we were supposed to appear on the Rai TV program “Uno Mattina.” At the scheduled time, the rented bus never showed up. After a series of excuses – an accident, running out of fuel, and so on – we decided to take our own cars and drove to Rome, arriving just in time for the live broadcast!

About the Band Director:

Paolucci Alessandro

Social Media:

Website:

la folkloristica

Facebook:

folkloristicabandbettolle

Instagram:

lafolkloristicabettolle

YouTube:

lafolkloristica

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From high above the crowds, Maria the Majorette, keeps the parade in step as she weaves enchantment with each twirl of her baton.

Megaflatables are one of the market leaders in inflatable advertising, supplying every conceivable shape and size balloon, blimp, even including an inflatable projection screen, to over 40 countries worldwide. Their motto is ‘if you can think it, we can make it’. Megaflatables are excited to be taking part in Rome Parade once again. As always, it is the highlight of our year!

Website: www.megaflatables.com

Twitter: @megaflatables1

Instagram: @megaflatables

About:

The Mission San Jose High School Warrior Marching Band and Color Guard come from Fremont, California. The award-winning program has performed around the world in Paris, London, Edinburgh, Maastricht, Bendigo, Melbourne, Sydney, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Frascati, Prague, and Vienna. Led by Director Bryce Beckel, the program has won countless awards in the NCBA and CCGC circuit.

This is Mission’s second time appearing at the Rome New Year’s Day Parade and the first performance tour under our new director Bryce Beckel.

About the Band Director:

Bryce Beckel

Bryce Beckel is a proud graduate of Sonoma State University where he earned his Bachelors in Music Education. Prior to Mission San Jose HS, Bryce worked as Director of Bands at Russel Middle School in Milpitas. In his free time, Bryce enjoys playing with his dog Chai.

Social Media:

Facebook:

msjhsband

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Welcoming in 2024 with a bang! Well hopefully not literally in this case. The Rome New Year balloon starts off the celebrations of all things Rome brandishing the colours of the Italian flag and one of the most iconic sights of the Eternal City, the magnificent Colosseum.

Megaflatables are one of the market leaders in inflatable advertising, supplying every conceivable shape and size balloon, blimp, even including an inflatable projection screen, to over 40 countries worldwide. Their motto is ‘if you can think it, we can make it’. Megaflatables are excited to be taking part in Rome Parade once again. As always, it is the highlight of our year!

Website: www.megaflatables.com

Twitter: @megaflatables1

Instagram: @megaflatables

Presented and supplied by Megaflatables

Representing the great Senators of ancient Rome like, Julius Cesar, Cicero, Augustus and Constantine the Great, our Senator is larger than life and carrying in his hand the first proclamation of 2023 which tells us all to enjoy the Rome Parade and to wish you all a happy new year!

Megaflatables are one of the market leaders in inflatable advertising, supplying every conceivable shape and size balloon, blimp, even including an inflatable projection screen, to over 40 countries worldwide. Their motto is ‘if you can think it, we can make it’. Megaflatables are excited to be taking part in Rome Parade once again. As always, it is the highlight of our year!

Website: www.megaflatables.com

Twitter: @megaflatables1

Instagram: @megaflatables

Director: Roger Hayes

About the Dancers:

Spirit of America Productions are based in Dallas, Texas, USA. They provide parade performance opportunities to high school and college cheerleaders and dancers. Nationally, performances produced and choreographed by their staff, include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and the Miss American Boardwalk Parade in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Internationally Spirit of America have performed in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland and London’s New Year’s Day Parade in London, UK. Amazingly their staff have been producing performance for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the past 36 years. This will be their second time performing in the Rome Parade.

Website: www.SpiritofAmericaProductions.com

Facebook: SpiritofAmericaProductions

Instagram: @SOAProductions

Presented and supplied by Megaflatables

Meet Trevor the Triangle. As he floats by his rhythmic chimes will uplift the spirits and delight everyone with his playful charm.

Megaflatables are one of the market leaders in inflatable advertising, supplying every conceivable shape and size balloon, blimp, even including an inflatable projection screen, to over 40 countries worldwide. Their motto is ‘if you can think it, we can make it’. Megaflatables are excited to be taking part in Rome Parade once again. As always, it is the highlight of our year!

Website: www.megaflatables.com

Twitter: @megaflatables1

Instagram: @megaflatables

About:

Since 1974, Varsity Spirit has been the driving force in making cheerleading the dynamic, athletic, high profile activity it is today. By combining high energy entertainment with traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit has driven the development of cheerleading as an international phenomenon that now not only includes millions of young Americans, but also a rapidly growing number of participants Worldwide.

While its heritage is rich and its traditions renowned, Varsity Spirit continues to be the innovative global leader in growing cheerleading’s influence and profile. The organisation’s commitment to the health and well-being of the young people who participate is embedded in its high quality educational curriculum and its leadership in establishing instructional safety standards.

Varsity Spirit All-Americans include high school cheerleaders, dancers and spirit performers who qualified at one of the following Varsity Spirit summer camps: Universal Cheerleaders Association, Universal Dance Association, National Cheerleaders Association, National Dance Alliance, Urban Cheerleading Experience and United Spirit Association. 

Social Media: 

Facebook: @VarsitySpirit

Instagram: @VarsitySpirit

About: 

The Marching Warriors is a volunteer marching band combining winds, percussion, and color guard. The marching band at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois USA strives to offer a unique and excellent musical experience while promoting teamwork, dedication, and school-spirit.

The Marching Warriors perform at all home football games, marching band competitions, parades, and other special events. We like to think of ourselves as providing the soundtrack to the Waubonsie Valley High School community.

About the Band Director:

Chris Dandeles, Mark Duker & James Hairston

Chris Dandeles has been a member of the Waubonsie Valley High School Music Faculty since 2003. Prior to teaching at Waubonsie Valley, he was Director of Bands at Timothy Christian School in Elmhurst, IL. Mr. Dandeles earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, and his Master’s Degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University.

Mark Duker began his teaching career at Glenbard East High School in Lombard, IL, where he taught from 1993-1997. Mark started the band programs at Still Middle School in 1999 as well as Scullen Middle School in 2001. After 10 years at Scullen, Mr. Duker moved to Neuqua Valley High School in 2011 and then in 2013 joined the faculty of Waubonsie Valley High School where he now serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair and conducts the Wind Ensemble.

​Originally from El Paso, Texas, Mr. Hairston earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and a Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, he performed as a member of the Texas Saxophone Ensembl

Social Media:

Website:

wvhsmusic.org

Facebook:

Waubonsie Valley Band

Instagram:

@waubonsieband

YouTube:

@wvhsmusic