Topsail Marching Pirates to represent Pender County in London parade

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — The Topsail High School Marching Pirates have officially been invited to cross the Atlantic and perform in London’s New Year’s Day Parade in 2028.

Representatives from London visited Topsail High School on Monday, Oct. 5, to formally present the band with an invitation to perform in the 42nd annual London New Year’s Day Parade on Jan. 1, 2028.

Students, staff members, families and supporters gathered for the ceremony.

“This is a historic morning for our band, our school, our community and our state,” Topsail High School Director of Bands Jake Wentzek said.

The visiting delegation included Bob Bone, founder and chairman of the London parade, and Steve Summers, chair of the London Mayors Association and former Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster.

“We only invite the best to our event,” Summers told the students. “We’ve heard about your reputation and how good you are.”

Summers told the students the experience would extend beyond their performance in the parade.

“If you come to London and participate in this event, it will change your life forever,” Summers said. “The things that you do, the experiences you have, the memories that will be formed, the things you will see will change your life forever.”

Bone formally presented the invitation during Monday’s ceremony.

“The founders and patrons of the London New Year’s Day Parade and Festival … take enormous pleasure in extending an invitation to Topsail High School Marching Pirates, North Carolina, USA, to travel to London,” Bone said before telling the students, “You guys are invited. You are coming to London.”

Wentzek also recognized the band’s current seniors, who will graduate before the 2028 trip but helped build the program that earned the invitation.

“You will not march in London, but this invitation is a direct result of the standard you have set,” Wentzek said. “Your fingerprint is all over it.”

The Marching Pirates will spend the coming months preparing for the international trip and continuing fundraising efforts to help students participate.

The band is scheduled to perform in London on Jan. 1, 2028, representing Topsail High School and Pender County Schools.