The Derby High School band is taking it up a notch this Thanksgiving at their trip that they take every three years.

The trip starts mid-evening on Nov. 25 as students take the 11 hour trip to Chicago on charter buses overnight.

When they arrive in the morning, their busy itinerary starts. From the Chicago skydeck to Millennium Park, their three-day trip is packed full of popular, touristy activities.

Of course, the marching band aspect of the trip comes in on Thursday, Nov. 26. The Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade is well renowned, its prestige following closely after the Macy’s Parade in New York City.

The band plans to play songs like “Home on the Range” while the colorguard performs choreography and marches down State Street.

That same evening, after the busy festivity of the parade, the Derby Marching Band is to enjoy a dinner cruise, complete with a full Thanksgiving meal and dancing to end off the day.

It’s safe to say that it will be a sad goodbye when the band leaves from the Windy City on the evening of Nov. 28 to head back to Derby, Kansas. And it will be a long three years before the band goes on their next trip, continuing the cycle of community and teamwork that have served them so well.