Performance Opportunities -
Parades & Other Venues
Everyone loves a parade, and there's no place quite like Philadelphia when it comes to festive, musical processions. Throughout the year, the streets are filled with celebrations of history and culture, from the Fourth of July spectacular to parades honoring the various ethnic groups that make Philadelphia a diverse and exceptional city. The following parades welcome visiting performing groups (which are listed in academic year chronological order from September to July):
Marching Band in Colonial Garb Performing at Independence National Historical Park with Independence Hall in the background
Puerto Rican Day Parade
Date: late September
Contact: 215-627-3100
www.elconcilio.net
This annual parade from the Ben Franklin Parkway to Independence Hall, features a festival celebrating the best of Puerto Rican heritage.
Red Rebel Marching Band
Maryville High School
Maryville, TN
Red Rebel Marching Band
Maryville High School
Maryville, TN
Annual German-American Steuben Day Parade
Date: September
Contact: Robert Eppinger
11927 Alberta Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19154
215-742-3587
www.steubenparade.com
This colorful annual celebration of German-American heritage honors Baron Friedrich von Steuben, who came from Germany to help Gen. George Washington train his troops during the Revolutionary War. The parade is open to all bands with an application required. No charge for participation. The parade begins at 20th Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway. The reviewing stand is at Logan Circle.
Pennsbury High School
Marching Band
Fairless Hills, PA
TVCC Cardettes and
Cardinal Regiment
Athens, TX
Pulaski Day Parade
Date: October
Contact: Theresa Romanowski
308 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-739-3408
This ethnic parade and display of Polish pride honors Revolutionary War hero Gen. Casimir Pulaski. The parade is open to all bands. An application is required; a video is suggested. The parade begins at 12:30 p.m. at 19th Street and J. F. Kennedy Boulevard. The reviewing stand is located at 18th Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway.
Centennial
High School
Franklin, TN
Petal High School
Marching Band
Petal, MS
Columbus Day Parade
Date: October
Contact: Kathleen Murray
494 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-686-3412
This annual parade celebrates the voyage of Christopher Columbus and his arrival in the New World. The parade is open to all bands. An application is required; a video is suggested. There is no cost for bands to participate. The parade runs from Broad and Washington streets to Broad Street and Oregon Avenue. The parade route is one and a half miles long and takes about two hours to complete. The number of spectators ranges from 30,000 to 60,000.
Hurricane Band
Lake Weir High School
Ocala, FL
Jacket Regiment
North Augusta High School
North Augusta, SC
Thanksgiving Day Parade
Date: November
Contact: Todd Marcocci
882 S. Matlack Street
Suite 202
West Chester, PA 19382
610.431.1121
undersunpr@aol.com
Groups participating in the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States are accepted based on an audition process, which includes a video and photograph evaluation. Content is based on the design of the parade. The parade route is two miles long, and the festivities run from 8 a.m.-noon. More than 700,000 spectators attend this event.
Jacket Regiment
North Augusta High School
North Augusta, SC
Peachtree Ridge
High School
Suwanee, GA
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Date: March
Contact: Michael J. Bradley Jr.
357 Crescent Hill Drive
Havertown, PA 19083
610.449.4320
The parade is open to groups of all sizes. An application is required; a video is required for new groups. There is no cost for bands to participate. The parade route is three miles long, and the reviewing stand is located at Logan Circle. The number of spectators reaches 500,000.
All-Star Marching Band
Tallapoosa River
Tallassee, AL
Marching Captains
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA
Sunoco Welcome America! - July 4th Day Parade
Date: July 4th
Contact: Todd Marcocci
882 South Matlack Street
Suite 202
West Chester, PA 19382
610.431.1121
undersunpr@aol.com
The parade begins at 11:00 AM and marches in the historic district of Philadelphia, immediately following the Independence Day Ceremony in front of Independence Hall. The parade route is one mile long and groups are accepted into the parade based on materials presented with the parade application. The parade is designed to be historical and multi-cultural, displaying the Tapestry of Independence of our great Nation!
Marching Captains
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA
St. Mary's
All Brass Band
St. Mary's, OH
Bearcat Band
Bainbridge High School
Bainbridge, GA
Bearcat Band
Bainbridge High School
Bainbridge, GA
Bearcat Band
Bainbridge High School
Bainbridge, GA
Note: This information is subject to change without notice. Contact the parade management for current schedules and performance application procedures.
