CINCINNATI — Every year, millions of people tune in to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States, and this year, one Ohio college student will be showing off her skills on the national stage.

What You Need To Know

  • Lauren Bradstreet has been jump roping since second grade

  • She's competed in more than 50 competitions and has won multiple awards

  • She will be one of 100 jump ropers performing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

  • The parade will take place in New York on Thursday at 9 a.m.

Competitive jump roper Lauren Bradstreet has a routine before she even picks up her rope.

“I always stretch before I work out or jump rope just because I don’t want to pull any muscles or do anything that would hurt myself,” said Bradstreet.

It’s all in preparation for her performance in the 2.8-mile Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She's one of 100 jump ropers to be a part of the Jumpers United for the Macy’s Parade group.

Bradstreet has been skipping rope since second grade. She’s competed in more than 50 competitions and won awards for every single rope and double dutch event. For her, to have this opportunity on a national stage is a dream come true.

“I’ve always wanted to do it since I was a little girl,” she said. “I remember watching it on TV and all these jump ropers who came together just for this one event.”

When Bradstreet isn’t on the field practicing, she’s studying for her classes. She’s an operations management and marketing major at the University of Cincinnati. Throughout her business courses, she got the chance to partner with multiple corporations.

"I was the leader within my larger learning community, and I ended up double majoring in operations management and marketing due to those experiences,” she said. 

As she makes the journey from Cincinnati to Central Park, she's excited to meet up with some old friends in the Big Apple.

“I haven’t seen some of my jump rope friends in years,” she said. “So just having that connection with them, and people from all over the U.S are coming.”

Bradstreet said she plans to continue jump roping and helping local students, one swing at a time. 

“I hope to go around here in Cincinnati, as well as back home in Columbus,” she said. “I always performed for the local schools there and just inspire the next generation of jumpers.”

You can catch the parade which air at 9 a.m. on Thursday on NBC.  

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