Three Region high schools are performing in the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade, which heads down Chicago's State Street, from Congress to Randolph, today, Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd.  The 79th Chicago Thanksgiving Day parade steps off at 8 am Central Time.

- Bishop Noll out of Hammond, parade organizers say the 50-member Marching Warriors will be making their first appearance at the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade, under the direction of Rocco Carioto, featuring "the Warriors' visually-exciting Big Ten style" as they march down State Street this year, the parade's website says.

- Merrillville High School -- The parade website says Merrillville HS will be making their 2nd appearance in the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade, they'll be bringing 110 members to State Street, under the direction of Mark Danielson. "The Band-of-Pirates earned gold medals in the North Judson/San Pierre Marching Band Festival, the Kankakee Valley Marching Band Festival, and the ISSMA Marching Band Festival," the parade website says. 

- Calumet New Tech High School (from Gary/Lake Ridge School District), "The Calumet New Tech High School Marching Band will be making their fifth appearance at Chicago's Grand Holiday Tradition," parade officials say at their website. "Under the direction of Thomas Wright, the Marching Warriors will be bringing 70 members to State Street." The band has performed regionally in Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin. 

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