Even though it had been weeks since Louise McGee of Fergus Falls High School learned she’d march in Tuesday’s inaugural parade, she still didn’t quite believe it when time came.

“First it didn’t really hit, but then it was like a tidal wave,” said McGee, 16. “ That’s what I thought. I couldn’t fully comprehend (it).”

Weeks of preparation culminated in what participants, directors and parents called one of the band’s best performances Tuesday, despite chilly temperatures, gusting winds and parade delays.

The challenges began early. Accidents slowed travel into Washington, D.C., from Pennsylvania Tuesday morning, pushing the school marching band’s preferred arrival time at the Pentagon back by about an hour. Things went smoothly for the next few hours as students completed security checks at the Pentagon and transferred to an assembly area near the White House for snacks and rehearsal.

“Then all of a sudden we’re waiting and waiting and it’s getting colder and colder,” said director Scott Kummrow.

It was cold enough that the group’s military escort, an Army staff sergeant, compared the weather to boot camp, said director Denise Wiese. The sergeant, who stayed with the band throughout the day, told students they could fall out if the cold simply became too much. No one did.

“For not one kid to fall out just shows the integrity of the group, their work ethic, their pride,” Wiese said.

By about 4 p.m. Eastern time, directors learned the parade, scheduled to begin at 2:35 p.m., had not yet started. The delay may have been caused in part by Sen. Ted Kennedy’s seizure at a luncheon for President Barack Obama.

The cold sent band members inside a heated tent, where they ended up trading songs with the Ohio State University marching band, a predecessor in the parade. At one point, a handful of Ohio State students sang “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” to Fergus Falls drummer Laura Riestenberg after asking her if she liked the film “Top Gun.” The Fergus Falls band responded with a rendition of “Hey, Baby.”

The band reached an outdoor parade line-up along Constitution Avenue around 5:30 p.m. Eastern. Band parents like Amy Beske were waiting.

“I think we yelled as loud as we could, ‘Fergus Falls, you make us so proud’,” she said, “and the kids seemed to stand taller and hear us, and Mr. (Jim) Iverson, he acknowledged us and was waving with a huge grin on his face.”

The band played “Yankee Doodle Dandy” along Constitution Avenue before the official start of the parade at Pennsylvania Avenue.

Students Heidi Buck and Berit Williamschen said they were disappointed that Obama was talking with visitors in the review box at the time of the band’s passing. Band members turned their heads in Obama’s direction during the vocal section of their performance. Buck and Williamschen said Vice President Joe Biden, first lady Michelle Obama and the Obama children appeared to be looking in the band’s direction, but not the president.

Nevertheless, students returned to their Pennsylvania hotel Tuesday night to cheers from parents who’d gathered in the front lobby.

“The kids were unbelievable, they were absolutely fantastic,”  Kummrow said.

The band departed Carlisle, Pa., around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Visit The Journal’s Web site later today for updates on when they’ll arrive back at Fergus Falls High School.