Marching Scarlet Knights selected for 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Rutgers marching band will participate in the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

On Saturday, the Marching Scarlet Knights received special honors as they were selected to perform in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They will represent the state of New Jersey, making it the first time that the band has ever been invited to perform in the prestigious parade.

Under the leadership of the director of university bands and athletic bands Dr. Todd Nichols, and assistant director of bands Dr. Julia Baumanis, the Scarlet Knights will join the event in New York to the call of “Let’s Have a Parade”. The phrase has signaled the start of every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade dating back to 1924.

While the parade is still a month away, it is a date on the calendar that is being circled by many with Rutgers ties. It is also an honor that Nichols is not taking for granted.

“Our entire university band program is thrilled to celebrate the Rutgers Marching Scarlet Knights being invited to represent our university and the great state of New Jersey in one of the most time-honored traditions for marching bands,” Nichols said in a statement.

“To be invited to march in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an incredible honor and quite honestly a ‘bucket-list’ wish for our band members, teaching staff, and directors.”

The Marching Scarlet Knights – also referred to as the Pride of New Jersey – were founded in 1915 and are no strangers to performing in high-profile events. The band has also made appearances at Super Bowl XVIII, 2022 Music for All Grand Nationals (in Indianapolis, IN), as well as Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. 

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