When the Magic City Carnival Association, better known as MCCA, stages its 35th parade on Saturday, Feb. 14, it will do so with a few exciting new additions.

This year marching along the parade route will be the world-famous Southern University Jaguar Marching Band.

Known as “The Human Jukebox,” the band has been rated the best college marching band in America, and their services are always much in demand at Carnival time. In fact, the day after MCCA rolls, the band will be marching as part of New Orleans superkrewe Bacchus’ parade.

According to the band’s Facebook page, “The ‘Jaguar Rock,’ high steps and meticulous formations are only a few of the skills that contribute to the Human Jukebox’s ‘flash.’ The 230-member ensemble has captivated audiences worldwide and redefined the term ‘college-style band.’ Its nine-member dance troupe, the Dancing Dolls, complements as artistic and aesthetic icing on the cake.

What’s more, marching with the Dancing Dolls will be two Bogalusa High School graduates, Kayla Pittman and La’Zhay McKinley. Both are 2012 honor graduates of BHS.

Pittman said it feels amazing knowing she will be able to march with the Human Jukebox in her hometown parade.

“Being able to return home and give back to my community by putting many smiles on faces when they see the Jukebox coming through means the world to La’Zhay and me,” she said.

McKinley added that it is her desire that her home town supporters, seeing her and Pittman along with the Human Jukebox and Dancing Dolls, will inspire some of the current students at BHS, as well as Washington Parish, to prove to them that one can accomplish anything that he or she sets his or her mind to, even if one does not succeed the first time.

The Southern University Jaguar Marching Band’s appearance at MCCA is co-sponsored by First Guaranty Bank of Hammond.

Another first this year will be the appearance of the official Angola State Rodeo Persheron horse and wagon team. Persherons are massive horses, similar in size to Clydesdales, and average 2,000 pounds each. The horses are usually gray or black in color. While Clydesdales originated in Ireland, Persherons originally hail from France.