Twelve marching bands, including one from Mexico, five from US high schools, and three from US colleges, marched down New York streets Thursday morning in Macy’s 96th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
High school marching bands were from
- Vandegrift High School, Austin, Texas
- Clovis North Educational Center, Fresno, California (coverage)
- Bourbon County High School, Paris, Kentucky
- Carmel High School, Carmel, Indiana (coverage)
- Tarpon Springs High School, Tarpon Springs, Florida (coverage)
In addition to the five bands that represented US high schools through an extensive selection and preparation process, Macy’s Great American Marching Band, which included students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, marched in between Carmel and Tarpon Springs.
One student who auditioned for and was selected for Macy’s Great American Marching Band is Mason Thulin, a senior trumpet player at Plainfield East High School in Illinois, reports Mia Graske in the school’s student newspaper.
More than an estimated 2.5 million viewers also saw 16 character balloons, 28 floats and their associated entertainment, and another nationally representative high school group: the Spirit of America Dance Stars, a huge dancing team made up of high school students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Three college bands also participated: the University of Missouri, Columbia; Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina; and South Dakota State University, Brookings.
Next year’s parade will include the marching band from O’Fallon Township High School in Illinois. Members of the group were on the route Thursday to observe the parade this year and build excitement for their participation in the 97th annual parade, which takes place on Thursday, November 23, 2023. We’ll see you there.
