Elizabeth Loftus LITTLE SILVER -- Elizabeth Loftus won't be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the sidelines this year. The Little Silver teen will be a part of an 80-year tradition that has signaled the start of the holiday season with bands, balloons and floats since 1924.

"I can't even explain how excited I am. I've always watched the parade and always wanted to be one of the kids in it and now I am," said the teen, a sophomore and vocal music major attending the Visual and Performing Arts program at Red Bank Regional High School.

Elizabeth, 15, will actually be at the head of the Nov. 23 parade, performing on a float that is a new feature of the festivities this year.

According to the official parade Web site, a new tradition is being inaugurated this year with "The Great American Marching Band," which will showcase young musicians and performers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Elizabeth will be costumed as a drummer in a marching band and will sing and dance while riding on the float "Give me a Drum" while her sister, Meg, and friend Briana Lombino, of Atlantic Highlands, dance around the float along the parade route.

All three auditioned for their parade debut last summer.

Over the summer, Elizabeth, Meg and Briana attended Camp Broadway in New York City and spent five days of intense training in singing, dancing and acting. Attendees were given the opportunity to try out for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

"The day after the camp ended, my sister, our friend and I all traveled to Manhattan and tried out," she said. "We waited about an hour before learning a simple dance routine and had to dance for three of the judges."

The three waited for a reply until the middle of September, when they learned that all had made it into the parade and Elizabeth would be one of those asked to be on the float.

"We are all very excited for this fun experience," said Elizabeth, who plans to pursue a career as an opera singer.

Friday will be the beginning of a busy week for the three with registration, costume fittings and rehearsals to be fit in.

And for the first time this year, the Loftus family won't be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the comfort of their Little Silver home, but will join the throngs of people who line the parade route to keep the tradition alive.