Blugold Marching Band to perform in 2027 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

A beloved holiday tradition since 1924, the 101st parade next year will showcase the BMB in one of the nation’s most popular holiday events. The Macy’s parade has an average annual television audience of 30 million, plus tens of thousands along the streets of New York.

“This news is an immense honor for UW-Eau Claire and the BMB alike, and the largest stage we will ever have to perform on,” Chancellor Ed Martini says.

The BMB’s selection makes them the ninth ensemble from Wisconsin to participate in this parade over the 101 years of operation, and the only marching band at the collegiate level.

A major surprise, to say the least

Following Wednesday’s full-run band rehearsal in the John and Carolyn Sonnentag Fieldhouse of The Sonnentag, Martini informed the 395 BMB members of the history-making news.

Along with Dr. Kara Metzger, director of the BMB, and David Lofy, assistant director, Martini was joined by Dr. Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Nicholas Phillips, professor and chair of the music and theatre arts department.

Metzger, in just her second season as director of the BMB, is so pleased that she and a very small circle of folks were able to complete the application and keep it all under wraps for the big reveal.

“It was a lengthy process, but was worth it for this moment,” she says about the students whose hard work and dedication is so impressive.

“We know that the local crowd around here understands how awesome the BMB is, and we are extremely excited that even more people will be able to see the BMB in action,” Metzger says. “This particular group of students are such talented musicians and marchers — they really push the envelope as performers and being rewarded with this opportunity is so well deserved.”

Lofy, an alumnus of both UW-Eau Claire and the Blugold Marching Band, emphasizes the scope of this unique opportunity, even for a band with a long history of success and a strong national reputation.

“This opportunity puts the BMB and UW-Eau Claire on the national stage in a whole new way,” Lofy says. “We've done NFL games, Bands of America Grand Nationals and many international performances, but this will be the band’s largest audience by far.”

Lofy and Metzger have both had the opportunity to take part in the Macy’s parade, Metzger as part of Macy’s Great American Marching Band, and Lofy as a member of the Madison Scouts Drum Corps. He knows firsthand the thrill that the band will experience, one they “will never forget.”

“Marching through Manhattan and performing live for viewing audiences across the country is a memory I'll treasure forever,” Lofy says. “Our students will love representing their university and state in the parade, plus all of the bonding they'll have with their friends while exploring New York City.”

On behalf of all who relish their every performance, Phillips congratulates the BMB, Metzger and Lofy for this tremendous honor.

“I have had a front-row seat to the BMB’s performances for many years, and in my humble (if slightly biased) opinion, there is no finer marching band in the country,” Phillips says.

“I can’t think of a more fitting stage for the UW-Eau Claire Blugold Marching Band than the streets of New York City, where the eyes of the country and the world will get to experience the joy we all feel when you take the field.”