The University of Southern Mississippi marching band and the Dixie Darling dancers have been invited to the annual Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving Day in New York City.

Band director Mohamad Schuman that the groups’ 75-second routine will consist of students stepping to the song “Get Happy” with snippets of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” thrown in.

Schuman says it will cost about $300,000 for the 280 students’ six-day trip. He says students are chipping in $200 each. He says another $69,000 is needed and other fundraising efforts will be held over the next few weeks.

Schman says USM also has been passing the hat at home football games.