DEFOREST, Wis. — Seven dancers from Ultimate Leap Dance Center in DeForest are performing in the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After missing out on the opportunity due to COVID, they are ready for the spotlight.
“It’s amazing and I don’t think for most of us it’s actually set in yet, people come up to the kids all the time and say you’re actually going to be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade” “most people don’t even get to see it live let alone be in it,” said Jenni Fristed, Co-Owner of Ultimate Leap Dance Center.,
For the last 20 years, Spirit of America in partnership with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has found the best 600 in the nation and brought them to New York to take part in a staple of American culture.
“Up until last week we had no clue what we’d be wearing or what we’d be dancing to, so were dancing to ‘Run Run Rudolph’, so kind of a reindeer-esque kind of costume, very Christmas kind of costume, jingle bells and all, they don’t get their headpieces until they get to New York, pretty sure it’s going to be antlers,” Fristed said.
“I feel like it’s really nerve-wracking, for all of us, this is our first time actually getting a chance to show what we do so it’s like do good,” said one of the dancers, Kiarah Cystrunk.
They’ll meet with their fellow dancers when they land to practice right away, but the trip isn’t all business. “I think they have one day off, one other free day, they have our schedule jam-packed with rehearsals, they have the opportunity to see other Broadway shows, we get to see The Rockettes, the statue of liberty,” said Fristed.
This is something that they won’t forget any time soon. “the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for me has always been a huge part of my Thanksgiving, my holiday traditions, and so taking my students there is even more special,” Fristed said.
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