AKRON -- They are the Fighting Irish of Akron but this weekend their talent will be on display on one of the biggest Irish stages in the world.

The nearly 80-member, Saint Vincent-Saint Mary High School Marching Band and Dance team will be a contingent of the 150,000 people who march in the the Saint Patrick's Day celebration in New York City.

The parade goes for about a mile and a half and lasts five hours. During that time, nearly three million spectators will be cheering them on.

The SVSM Band and Dance Team, which is accustomed to preforming in the Cleveland and Akron Saint Patrick's Day Parades, was selected from among some of the best bands in the nation to take part in this NYC tradition.

Thursday, the school held a pep rally as a send-off for the students.  

SVSM junior Vincenzo Volpe is among the students on the trip.

"Going to New York is a thrill for all of us," Volpe said,  "What a great place for all of us musicians and friends to display our Irish pride and play a few marching tunes that just make you want to start Irish jigging!"

WKYC-TV