The Long County Wildlife Festival committee recently donated $500 to the Long County High School band in its drive to perform in McDonald’s Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27.

LCHS  Principal Scotty Hattaway said the money will go toward the cost to send the band to the parade, which  is the second-largest parade of its kind behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York.

Festival-committee members Beverly Johnson, Becky Fowler and Charlie Smith attended the check presentation.

“We are certainly glad to be able to assist and support our band program through this donation as they prepare for their trip to the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade,” they said.

According to the committee, the funds came from proceeds raised during the recent wildlife festival.

Blue Tide band director Terry Kenny said the band has not been defeated in a competition in four years. Last year, the band was one of only 19 nationwide to be selected to perform at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in New Orleans.

Kenny said that the cost to attend the parade is expensive, so the band is conducting fundraisers and accepting donations. He said that on Nov. 2,there will be fundraiser at the high school with former players from the Harlem Globetrotters playing a game. Adult tickets are $10 in advance and  $12 at the door. All children’s tickets are $8.

For more information on the basketball game or on how to make a donation, call 545-2135 or 545-2041.