HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — For the first time in Alabama A&M's 146 years of existence, its "Showband of the South" has been selected to perform in the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.
Wesley Whatley, creative producer for music and talent at Macy’s, surprised students when he announced for the first time in AAMU’s history, Macy’s has selected the AAMU Marching Maroon & White Band to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Marching Maroon and White were one of the hundreds of bands to have applied to participate and just one of nine selected for the parade.
WATCH: Alabama A&M Marching Maroon & White Band
Credit: WJAB-TV
Whatley also presented a $10,000 check to kick off the donation drive to get students to the parade next year.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1924 and has taken place all but four years since then. The 2023 parade will be the 97th edition of the annual tradition.
Band Director, Carlton Wright said that he was shocked when he learned that they were selected after just one submitted application.
Wright said that he had to keep it a secret, despite how excited he was about the news. He had to wait for the Macy’s Parade officials to arrive on campus, so that they could make the announcement a surprise for all members of the marching band, along with students and staff of the school.
The 97th Annual Macy’s Day Parade is November 23, 2023 in New York City.
Congratulations again to the MMW and Go Bulldogs!