Cheering filled the Harding Band Building on Tuesday morning as Barry Houser, director of the Marching Illini and Illinois Athletic bands, announced the Marching Illini accepted an invitation to perform in the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The band was one of 10 marching bands chosen by Macy’s out of over 100 applicants.
The classic holiday celebration is held annually on Thanksgiving in New York City, drawing millions of attendees and viewers. Next year will mark the 100th iteration of the parade.
“(A) number of years ago, (I) got here and thought, ‘How can we continue to move this program forward with something that’s steeped in such wonderful history, some great tradition, of course, but also serve the students that we have in front of us?’” Houser said to the crowd.
He held up a drum head displaying a star decorated with a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade emblem. The room erupted in applause and chanted “Yes, yes, yes!”
The Marching Illini performed once before at the parade in 2015, where it played “Here Comes Santa Claus,” at Herald Square.
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Houser scheduled the 8 a.m. meeting with the band outside of its typical schedule, leading to speculation among students.
“I had no clue what was happening,” said Mytchel Taylor, junior in LAS and sousaphone player in the Marching Illini. “There were a lot of rumors going around in our section talking about all the different things it could be.”
Houser said that after he received word that the Marching Illini had been chosen, the news was difficult to keep under wraps.
“Things were just announced on national television literally minutes before I came in here, and (I) was hoping that social media didn’t spread too quick,” Houser said.
“When you put these applications together, you have to have quality, and that’s something that this organization has recognized for a number of years,” Houser said.
Provost John Coleman then took the floor to address the band.
“I want to just let you know how important you are to this community — and I mean the community here on campus, I mean our community of Champaign-Urbana and beyond,” Coleman said. “I know our alums around the world love the Marching Illini, and I will say, for me, it’s a testament to your excellence and drive and determination.”
Representatives from the local Macy’s store then presented a $10,000 check to the band to kickstart its fundraising efforts.
The band will be raising money for its trip over the course of this year. It will rely heavily on the March Forth fundraising campaign to aid with travel fees and other related costs.
Houser addressed potential concerns about costs, especially since the band will be performing at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, Ireland, in March.
“We’re relying on our donors to really pitch in,” said Olivia Verduzco, junior in AHS and undergraduate staff member in the Marching Illini. “I think once they know that we’re going to go to Macy’s … We’re hoping that they really would love to pitch in even more and be extra generous this year.”
Students and faculty continued to celebrate the news, with many band members lining up to take photos with the decorated drum head.
“I’ve grown up watching this parade, I love watching it every year, so to be a part of it is such a big deal,” said Hallie Jasnoch, sophomore in Media and member of the Color Guard. “These are some of my best friends. The fact that I get to do this with a bunch of people I love, it’s so cool.”
