Reading Resident to Perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

When you're sitting with the family watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year, look closely. You might see a local face.

Reading resident Sarah Cruickshanks, a college sophomore, will travel from Virginia to New York City to perform with the 2013 Marching Royal Dukes of James Madison University.

The 87th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is scheduled for November 28 at 9 a.m.

According to a press release from James Madison University, Cruickshanks is a sophomore majoring in kinesiology and she plays in the band's sax-alto section. Cruickshanks graduated from Reading Memorial High School.

The JMU band is one of 11 marching bands performing in the parade, and one of only two college bands - the other is the University of Massachusetts Amherst - that were invited to perform, the press release said.

James Madison's marching band, which plays at all home football games and select road games, was picked out of 150 applicants. The school has only previously been represented in the parade in 2001 and 2008.