As we approached the red starting line for our Herald Square performance and I heard our university’s name being called to a roaring crowd, the enormity of what I was getting ready to do engulfed me. I was no longer just watching a cherished holiday tradition, I was a part of it.
For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving mornings were spent watching massive floats glide through the streets of New York City on TV. However, this year I decided to trade my houseshoes for a pair of Drillmasters and joined in the magic myself.
This year, my Thanksgiving started long before the sun had even considered rising where we got our first and final chance to rehearse in the staging area. Although it was early, there was this electric buzz of excitement in the air as we got closer to the official start time.
Stepping onto the parade route itself truly felt like a dream. Standing there among larger than life floats of Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse, waving to Idina Menzel as she stood atop her float truly was a surreal moment.
The city streets, normally filled with hurried commuters, were lined with smiling faces, families wrapped in ponchos and scarves and children waving excitedly. Most had gathered along the parade route for hours in the cold rain just trying to get a glimpse of the cherished parade.
Marching down the parade route itself was exhilarating yet demanding, as the weather conditions attempted to test our endurance. The chill in the air and the rain seeping into our uniforms threatened to dampen our experience, yet the energy of the crowd and the thrill of the moment kept us going, reminding us that the show must go on, no matter the weather.
It was truly a blink and you’ll miss it, the parade felt like it was over before it began. One moment I was marveling at the cheering crowds and towering floats, and the next, we were rounding the final corner, the day’s excitement already turning into cherished memories.
Arriving at 34th Street, where the cameras broadcast to millions, was a surreal moment. I felt like I was stepping into the Thanksgiving mornings of my childhood, only now, I was on the other side of the screen. The applause was thunderous, the atmosphere electric.
It was truly hard to contain my excitement as the moment became more and more real to me. The dream that I once had as a child would finally come true. All of the hours of hard work that we put into rehearsals would finally pay off. Everything that I had looked forward to experiencing would soon be upon me.
Once we concluded our final performance of “Happy Together” and we cleared the staging area, there was this sound emanating from the band as we marched off. Words truly don’t do it justice as this wasn’t just a yell of relief, but a sound of pure joy and excitement. In that moment, I truly think we ceased to be a band, and we became a true family.
I’ll forever treasure my time in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It wasn’t just a performance, it was a reminder of the joy that comes from being present, spreading cheer and sharing in a collective celebration. If you ever get the chance to take part in something like this, say yes. The magic is real, and it’s unforgettable.
