LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida — HBCU Week introduced a brand new essential occasion to Foremost Avenue as a number of the finest HBCU bands within the land strutted their stuff within the Magic Kingdom.

Sarah Banner made positive she received a front-row view.

“I did get a flight at 6 o’clock this morning,” mentioned Banner, who’s from North Carolina.

It was essential to be there in order that she might witness one thing she by no means thought she’d see: her daughter marching down Foremost Avenue as a part of the band with North Carolina A&T College.

“For her to have the ability to carry out in a parade right here, she was so overwhelmed,” mentioned Banner.

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Fellow band mother and father had been reveling within the second.

“We at all times carry it. Each time, each stage, all over the place, each discipline,” mentioned Trina Mays-Barton, whose son is within the band.

North Carolina A&T carried out Saturday afternoon together with Winston-Salem State College.

Delaware State College and Alcorn State College marching bands carried out within the night. It is a part of the festivities marking the primary time that Walt Disney World Resort has hosted HBCU Week.

The unique occasion started in 2017 in Delaware. This yr, Disney welcomed the occasion, which features a faculty truthful, as a part of its Disney on the Yard initiative.

“Now we have by no means actually gotten to acknowledge like we are actually, so with the ability to be right here is such an awesome alternative,” mentioned Ariah Pendleton, a member of the Alcorn State College Marching Band.

It isn’t the primary time HBCU bands have carried out at Disney World, however the partnership with HBCU Week helps usher in a brand new period of publicity of HBCUs.

“Most African People that graduate from faculty, graduate from an HBCU,” mentioned Avis Lewis, vp of Disney on The Yard and an HBCU alum.

Jarius Martin had already deliberate a visit to Disney World along with his household. Discovering out it wasn’t HBCU Week was a nice shock.

“He will get to see Black excellence,” Martin mentioned of his son attending to witness the HBCU bands.

April Williams introduced her two grand nieces to see the efficiency.

“I simply needed them to return and see how essential it was about becoming a member of an HBCU,” she mentioned.

The efficiency was a deal with for all Disney guests together with those that aren’t linked to an HBCU.

“I like the unity of all the faculties coming right here and celebrating with the Disney magic,” mentioned Hugo SanMartin proper after watching the parade along with his household.

With Drum Main Mickey main the way in which, youngsters within the crowd watching the bands received to dream large.

“Once I see this, it makes me need to push myself some extra,” mentioned Kelia Cannon, who performs the trumpet in her highschool band.

“Do you assume you may be right here someday performing?” we requested.

She merely answered with a assured smile and a “sure ma’am!”