MIRA MESA (CBS 8) - For the first time in nearly 30 years, a San Diego Unified School will be marching in next year's Rose Parade.
The Mira Mesa High School Marching Band and Color Guard will perform at the 127th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day.
The Sapphire Sound was one of 20 marching bands extended the invitation.
Their director explains how they're planning on gearing up for the big day.
"The practice involved will be us training to march straight five and a half miles playing almost every moment of all those five and a half miles,” said band director Jeanne Christensen. "We want to make sure that we are representing all of Southern California as this committee chose us."
The first pancake fundraiser to pay for the trip is scheduled for Saturday, February 28 outside the high school's theater from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.