Two dancers from Newtown's Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance were recently selected from hundreds of elite level applicants across the nation to perform with the world renowned group Riverdance in the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Vivian Eaton of Newtown and Addison Bertholf of Oxford were among the dancers who marched the 2½-mile route before performing in front of Macy's Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street.

Rain poured over the November 28 event, creating slippery conditions for all participants.

According to the official parade website, over 3.5 million people in New York City view the parade in addition to over 50 million viewers on TV.

Riverdance, which is preparing for its 30th anniversary tour including upcoming stops at venues such as Radio City Music Hall, became a worldwide phenomenon and a household name after it hit the stage of Eurovision in 1994. In addition to Riverdance, this year's parade included famous performers such as the Rockettes, Idina Menzel, Kylie Cantrall of Disney's Rise of Red, Jennifer Hudson, Jimmy Fallon, and others.

This experience is another notch in the belts of these two talented dancers who have both danced at the Ashurst Academy since they were around 4 years old. Vivian, 14, and Addison, 13, are now elite champions at the highest level of competitive Irish dance and have collectively earned regional and national medals and performed with famous groups such as the New York Mets and the Wiggles.

It is also a full circle moment for the academy's directors and teachers, Craig Ashurst and Christina Dolzall-Ashurst of Newtown, who met while on tour with the 15th Anniversary of Riverdance in the USA in 2009 and who performed with the company in New York City at Radio City Music Hall among many prestigious venues.

The Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance is currently enrolling a new beginner program beginning in January 2025. For information, visit ashurstirishdance.com or call 203-928-0689.