West Aurora High School Marching Band members Asher and Emily Lesniak had plenty to smile about after performing as part of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band in the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday in New York City.
“It was exciting to be amid all of the gigantic helium balloons,” Asher Lesniak, 16, said.
The brother and sister duo – who have been playing the trumpet and saxophone respectively since elementary school – were chosen to perform alongside approximately 180 other high school musicians from around the country as part of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
“When Emily and I started playing our instruments, we never thought we would one day perform on the streets of New York City in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Asher, a high school junior.
The students performed a Disney-themed song and a holiday-themed song with the Macy’s band. They had a few rehearsals prior to Thursday’s step-off from Central Park.
The brother and sister said it was a rather “surreal experience” when they arrived at Macy’s Herald Square for an early morning rehearsal.
“When we got to Herald Square, everyone in the band seemed to be jumping with excitement,” Asher said.
“When I first started playing the trumpet, I thought it would be just for fun. After this experience, I plan to stick with it,” he said.
Emily Lesniak, 17, a senior, said she never thought she would actually one day march on the streets of Manhattan during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
“I never thought I would actually march in the parade. It was really cool,” she said.
Parents David and Lydia Lesniak made the trip to see their children perform. David Lesniak is a band director at Plainfield East High School. He had previously performed in the Macy’s parade and in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl parade with the Band Directors Marching Band.
Macy’s Great American Marching Band performs during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in New York City. West Aurora High School students Asher and Emily Lesniak performed as part of the band during the parade. (Lesniak family)
Marching in the parade takes some work. Lesniak said the kids in the band had a rehearsal at 3:30 a.m. on the day of the parade.
The parents luckily didn’t have to go out quite that early.
“We sat in the Grand Stand on Central Park South and saw them coming,” Lesniak said on Thursday. “Fortunately, we saw their rehearsal earlier this week so we knew where to look for them. It was a fantastic moment as parents to see our children in the spotlight enjoying what they like to do.”
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
