Two Collier County students take part in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in NYC

It was a bittersweet Thanksgiving for Luis Nicacio, a Naples High senior who spent the holiday in New York City without his family to realize his dream of marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“I’ve spent every Thanksgiving with my family, so it’s hard for me to be here without them,” he said . “But this is such a great experience.”

Luis was one of two Collier County students invited to perform Thursday in the world's largest parade.

When Luis received his invitation in September, he wasn’t sure he could afford the trip. But with the help of a GoFundMe page and donations from the Naples community, he quickly reached his goal of raising $2,500. 

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On Thursday, the 18-year-old, wearing a tall red hat with white feathers and a Macy’s star, didn’t miss a beat as he marched down Central Park West, past the fading fall foliage, toward Columbus Circle. Despite the cold but sunny weather, Luis kept his fingers warm enough to play his tenor saxophone as part of the 250-member Great American Marching Band.

Luis is a drum major at Naples High School and a member of the school’s symphonic wind ensemble and jazz band. He grew up watching the parade on TV in his living room.

Back home in Naples, Luis’ family watched him on TV in that same room. His father, Enrique Nicacio, received a steady stream of texts and Facebook messages from friends and family who spotted him on their screens.

“It’s hard without him here,” he said. “We miss him so much, but he’s doing something he loves. We’re just so proud of everything he’s done.”

As Luis rounded West 59th Street onto Sixth Avenue, the crowds grew larger and louder, and the buildings stood taller.

Luis could feel the energy from spectators, and it overwhelmed him.

“I tried really hard not to tear up,” he said. “This was probably one of the best experiences of my life.”

Meanwhile, another Naples native, Royal Palm Academy eighth-grader Alexis Anand, was just blocks away, dancing and singing with Camp Broadway in the parade.

Alexis, 14, in a red beret and white petticoat, walked behind a floating Charlie Brown, waving to the crowd and wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Alexis’ parents and sister had tagged along to New York and watched her from the sidelines before joining a group of Camp Broadway families to watch the spectacle on TV at a nearby restaurant.

“She works so hard on her music,” said Alexis’ mom, Michele Anand. “So to see it pay off and watch her do something so special and unique felt very exciting.”

Alexis has written two or three songs every week since she was 6 years old and recorded an album when she was 11. She performs frequently at school recitals, nursing homes and with Opera Naples.

She has spent every Thanksgiving watching the parade with her family on TV.

“So to see our own daughter in it makes it that much more special,” said Alexis’ father, Pavan Anand.

Alexis said she appreciates her family’s support and was thrilled to see how many people came to watch the event in person.

Each year more than 3.5 million people watch the parade live in New York City, while about 50 million watch from home, according to Macy’s.

Alexis said she felt like a celebrity as spectators screamed and took pictures as she walked by.

“In that moment, looking up at all the people, and all the buildings, with everyone taking pictures, it was surreal,” she said. “It’s an experience that I’ll remember forever.”