Chippewa Valley Bands Chosen to March in America's Thanksgiving Parade

With their feathered helmets, shining instruments and red and green uniforms, the Chippewa Valley and high school marching bands will once again bring their own share of holiday spirit to America’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Although individual band members may be new to the experience, the Big Red and are no strangers to the Woodward Avenue route.

Under the direction of Tim Hoey, Chippewa Valley will join the Nov. 24 parade for its 11th consecutive year–the longest performance streak of any band in the parade–while Dakota will march for its fourth consecutive year with Risa Hsu as director.

Having the opportunity to march in the parade for more than a decade is an honor Hoey said he is not sure his students fully comprehend.

“I think the band has begun to take it for granted that we will be accepted,” he said. “If they knew how many bands were turned away, they’d have more appreciation for what an accomplishment it is.”

Each year the parade selection committee reviews thousands of hours of footage submitted by hundreds of hopeful high school bands.

Last year, only 12 bands, including Chippewa and Dakota, were selected to participate in the parade, according to WDIV-TV, a parade partner.

That they are able to continue the tradition with their bands this year is something for which both directors are grateful.

“We consider this a great honor and opportunity to showcase our band and represent our school district,” Hsu said.

With the parade being televised, it means the bands will perform not only for the thousands gathered along Woodward Avenue, but also the millions watching from their homes Thanksgiving Day.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students to perform in front of a huge live audience,” Hoey said. “The crowd really loves watching the band, and being so close to them makes for a unique experience. The TV is exposure is wonderful for the band and our district. The parade is carried nationally, and has helped put Chippewa Valley Schools on the map.”

So while most of Chippewa Valley Schools remains tucked asleep Thanksgiving morning, the 110-member Cougar band, 115-member Big Red band and a few brave parent volunteers will wake at dawn to travel downtown to their starting point on the parade route.

Brass players will blow hot air into their instruments to keep them in tune, band parents will pass out hand warmers by the dozen and everyone will share a silent prayer that it doesn’t sleet.

But all that is still months away. For now, “the students are very excited about performing in the parade,” Hsu said. “It’s a great way to end the marching band season and get into the holiday spirit.”