"It is my job to look across the United States and recognize the finest, most entertaining marching bands in the country."

They’re going to New York. To the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, that is. Next year. In 2019.

The Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Marching Band got the news Saturday from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade creative producer Wesley Whatley, who flew to St. Petersburg to make the surprise announcement during a community band concert in Williams Park.

As Whatley led up to the news, the band’s dancers, majorettes, flag twirlers and color guard began leaping into the air in front of the Williams Park band shell, where the musicians had been playing.

Read more at the Tampa Bay Times.