NORCO — For the first time the band from East St. John High School will be marching in Sunday’s Norco Christmas Parade.

Joining them are local bands from Riverside Academy and Destrehan High.

East St. John principal Corey Butler said it’s always a good feeling when he sees his students serve the community.

“We want to expose our kids to different things, as well,” Butler said. “Hopefully, this is something that they will have the opportunity to participate in again and will be something they will remember after they graduate.”

Antonio Gardner, band director at East St. John, said he is excited to see the program’s students perform.

“There are 80 students, including the dance team and our majorette team,” Gardner said. “I believe it’s a good idea for the band to be a part of the parade, because it is part of their community. It’s our job to serve the community and allow them to take pride in their community.”

Gardner said the students, who range from freshmen to seniors, are excited about their upcoming performance.

“They are telling their families about it,” he said. “They want the people come out to see them. They are always ready to go.”

The band will march to Christmas songs like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”

“I look forward to seeing the crowd’s faces and see what’s it’s like out there,” Gardner said. “I’ve never been out there, and I’ve never been to the Norco parade. This is all new and exciting to me.”

Parade committee co-chairman Marty Luquet is thrilled to include their neighbor St. John in the family-oriented parade.

“Riverside Academy has been a regular for a long time, leading Santa and Mrs. Claus on their way,” he said. “We are excited about the addition this year of East St. John to our line up.”

The theme of the parade is Santa 4 President. The parade begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, starting on River Road and Apple Street in Norco. It runs south on River Road for two blocks, takes a left on Good Hope, and then rolls to 6th Street. The parade takes a left there, goes back two blocks to Apple Street, and then turns left until it reaches River Road.

“We want everyone to come out to the family atmosphere and enjoy themselves,” Luquet said. “We have people that sit along the route and have picnics and tents and barbecue.”

The parade normally runs two hours. It will include marching groups, dancing groups, bands, floats, antique cars and more.

While the parade officially starts at 2 p.m., Santa will makes his appearance at approximately 1:30 p.m., landing on the levee at River Road and Apple Street Santa by helicopter.

At the end of the parade children can take a picture with Santa, free of charge. People wishing to participate are asked to bring their own cameras.

— By Raquel Derganz Baker