From Staff Reports
In Summary:
The Apopka High School Blue Darter Marching Band marched through central London in the New Year’s Day Parade, performing past landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and Big Ben. At the same time, the Wekiva High School Marching Mustangs delivered an award-winning performance at the Sugar Bowl Parade in New Orleans. Both appearances followed months of preparation and reflected the strong community support behind Apopka’s high school music programs.
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What a way to start 2026!
The Apopka High School Blue Darter Marching Band and the Wekiva High School Marching Mustangs spent the holidays doing something few high school students ever experience — representing Apopka on two of the biggest parade stages in the world.
Related: Apopka High School Marching Band is going to London.
Related: Wekiva High School Marching Band is going to the Sugar Bowl Parade.
Apopka High’s Blue Darters marched through the heart of London in the New Year’s Day Parade, while Wekiva High’s Marching Mustangs delivered an award-winning performance at the Sugar Bowl Parade in New Orleans.
“We marched right down Piccadilly Circus, through Trafalgar Square, on to Whitehall Street, by No. 10 Downing Street, and lastly by Big Ben,” said Jeremy Langford, Apopka High’s director of bands. “You would be proud.”
Dewey and Daisy, the band’s beloved mascots, quickly became crowd favorites, putting smiles on faces and posing for selfies throughout central London.
Photo from Jeremy Langford's Facebook page.
Langford said Dewey and Daisy, the band’s beloved mascots, quickly became crowd favorites, putting smiles on faces and posing for selfies throughout central London. In a personal tribute shared with the Apopka community, Langford said he had hoped to share a photo at the Canadian Consulate with a late colleague, asking Dewey and Daisy to run ahead and pose in remembrance.
“They are truly a special part of our culture,” Langford said. “We were proud to represent APK on the international stage today.”
The Blue Darters were invited to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade, a globally recognized event that draws bands and performers from around the world. Students, directors, and families traveled overseas during the holiday break, turning months of rehearsals into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Photos and videos shared by families and supporters back home showed Apopka students marching past some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks — a decisive moment of pride for the city they represent.
At the same time, the Wekiva High School Marching Mustangs were making their mark at the Sugar Bowl Parade, one of college football’s most storied traditions.
“Once again, Wekiva HS Mustangs are setting the standard,” the school posted on Facebook. “This time at the 2025 Sugar Bowl Parade, the Marching Mustangs took home five separate awards and won the hearts of the crowds.”
The performance added another milestone to Wekiva’s program, which continues to earn recognition on some of the nation’s largest stages.
Neither trip happened overnight. Both bands spent months rehearsing, fundraising, and preparing — efforts previously highlighted by The Apopka Voice when the Blue Darters’ London invitation was first announced.
Parents, alumni, and local businesses stepped up throughout the year to help make both journeys possible. That support traveled with the students, as Apopkans followed along through social media updates from London streets and New Orleans parade routes.
From Piccadilly Circus to the Sugar Bowl, Apopka’s student musicians didn’t just perform — they represented their city with pride, discipline, and heart, reminding everyone watching why these programs mean so much to the community they call home.
Key Points:
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Apopka High’s Blue Darter Marching Band performed in the London New Year’s Day Parade, one of the world’s most recognized parades.
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Band director Jeremy Langford said the students proudly represented Apopka as they marched past iconic London landmarks.
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Wekiva High’s Marching Mustangs performed in the Sugar Bowl Parade, earning five awards and a strong crowd response.
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Both bands spent months rehearsing and fundraising to prepare for the trips.
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Parents, alumni, and local businesses played a key role in supporting the students through donations and encouragement.
