Co-Written and multimedia by: Austin Page
Austin is a member of the Marching Band
The Pride of the Mountains Marching Band has been invited back to New York City to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2019.
The 500 member band is no stranger to the Big Apple. In 2014 the band led the famous Thanksgiving parade and five years later they get to have that opportunity again.
Video by Kevin McNamara and Austin Page
“On behalf of the band selection committee, Macy’s is incredibly proud to welcome back Western Carolina University to the streets of New York City,” said Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade creative producer, Wesley Whatley. “David Starnes runs a program known for its artistic storytelling, big sound, and highly engaging field shows.”
“The return of the WCU unit to the parade represents an uncommon occurrence in the history of the event,” Whatley said.
Starnes and other Pride of the Mountains staff members worked hard to try to ensure that the announcement was a surprise to all student band members. Only providing an update on Facebook for members to come to the University Center Grand Room for a “special announcement”.
Founded in 1924, the world-famous parade attracts more than 3.5 million spectators lining the streets of New York, and 50 million at-home viewers watching on television. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is televised nationally by NBC.
Communication students followed POTM to their first Macy’s parade and documented on their experience.
