Small-town Oklahoma cheerleaders live out big dreams in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

A group of cheerleaders from Washington High School are getting a world-class holiday experience after receiving bids to participate in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The five young women from Washington, a small town in McClain County, are among about 16 cheerleaders and five Spirit of America staff members from Oklahoma participating in the parade, according to Jeff LeForce. LeForce along with his wife are the Washington Cheer coaches and Spirit of America staff members.

Spirit of America is responsible for producing the cheer and dance performances in the parade each year.

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LeForce said each year his cheerleaders attend J&C Cheer Camps in Norman where they have an opportunity to try out for "camp all-star" by exhibiting skills and performing a routine learned at the camp. If selected they receive a bid to participate in the Macy's parade, but their work doesn't stop there.

"They fundraised, they sold baked goods and all kinds of stuff to raise money to get to come," he said.

The girls arrived in New York City on Saturday to begin final preparations for the parade. Rehearsals and dress rehearsals were paired with time to see the sights and experience the city. LeForce said the group has been able to take in a Broadway show and a Radio City Rockettes performance, visit the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and Central Park.

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"They get to see New York for the first time, and to see New York at the holidays through their eyes is such an amazing experience," he said. "Coming from a small town like Washington, they're not exposed to a lot of the things that New York has — subways and all the people and a lot of the pageantry and that kind of stuff."

This year's festivities hold a special place as the first full iteration of the parade since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Leforce said. In 2020, the parade reduced the number of balloons and floats, balloons were tethered by utility vehicles rather than people and there was no in-person audience due to the pandemic.

"They're actually wearing masks in the parade and they had to have their vaccinations and be tested to be able to be in the parade," LeForce said. "They've gone through a lot of protocols that are new, but it doesn't take away the magic and the excitement."

The return to the magic is felt by the staffers as well, he said. In the 10 years he has worked with Spirit of America, LeForce said he has watched as his cheerleaders are given a different view of the world through the experience each time. Walking down Sixth Avenue, seeing the crowds and hearing the people of New York cheering you on from high in their buildings is a spectacle, he said.

"They get to walk in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, it's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," LeForce said.

Watch the parade Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon in all time zones, on NBC and Telemundo or stream on NBC's service Peacock. The parade will also be rebroadcast 2-5 p.m., again in all time zones, on NBC.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma cheerleaders visit NYC for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade