A cymbal player in the Ohio State University Marching Band performs the song “Hang on Sloopy” during the OSU vs. Oklahoma game. Credit: Ris Twigg | Assistant Photo Editor
The Ohio State marching band will travel to New York City next year to perform in the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the school announced Saturday. It will be the band’s first appearance in the parade.
The Macy’s Parade has an annual viewership of 50 million and Ohio State was selected by the Macy’s Band Committee from more than 100 applicants, according to a press release. Ten bands total will perform.
“For decades, The Ohio State University Marching Band has entertained stadiums of football lovers and most recently millions of fans on YouTube with their spectacular showmanship, ingenious field show designs and impressive big sound and even bigger school spirit,” said Wesley Whatley, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade creative director in the release. “Macy’s Band Selection Committee is proud to welcome ‘The Best Damn Band in the Land’ to the streets of New York City in 2018 for their inaugural appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!”
The band performed a New York-themed halftime show Saturday, playing songs “New York State of Mind” and “On Broadway.”
University President Michael Drake said Ohio State is thrilled for the nation to experience the hard work, focus and creativity of the band.
“The Ohio State University Marching Band is near and dear to the hearts of Buckeyes across the nation and around the world,” he said in the release.
