Georgia State University Marching Band Slated to Appear in 2014 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

In less than three weeks, families across the United States will gather to give thanks, eat turkey, enjoy football, and watch the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Kicking off the 2014 holiday season, the Macy's parade hits the streets of New York City, Thursday, 27 November, at 9AM. The parade features more than 8,000 participants, including the 180-plus member Georgia State University Marching Band.

(The 180-plus member Georgia State University Marching Band will be among 8,000 participants in the 2014 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade)

2014 marks Georgia State University's first appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Dr. Chester Phillips, Director of Athletic Bands at Georgia State, says it's an honor to be part of a storied holiday tradition in America.

“It is difficult to express how excited I am to see the Georgia State University Marching Band receive an invitation to march in the 2014 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Dr. Phillips. “Since I was a child, my family has maintained a tradition of watching the parade each Thanksgiving morning, and this year our band will be a part of the magic. Simply amazing! We are honored for the invitation and looking forward to being in New York and performing at Macy's Herald Square."

The Georgia State University Marching Band was selected to be one of 10 marching ensembles in the 2014 Parade beating out of more than 175 applicants nationwide.

“The Macy's Band Selection Committee is amazed at the incredible performance quality the Georgia State University Marching Band has achieved in only a short few years of existence! We are thrilled to introduce this exciting new band to the Macy's Parade audience,” said Wesley Whatley, creative director, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade features 16 giant character balloons; 33 novelty, balloonicles, balloonheads, and trycaloons; 27 floats; 12 marching bands, 1,300 cheerleaders/dancers; and 1000 clowns.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is broadcast nationwide on NBC. Regularly one of the nation’s most viewed events, millions of families tune-in every year to watch the revelry unfold. This year, the TODAY Show’s Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie will anchor the three-hour broadcast from 9AM – Noon in all time zones.