Whitney Veazey

UNA’s marching band, the Marching Pride, has announced its debut in the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The 265-member band was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to perform in the parade. It typically takes multiple attempts for bands to even be considered, but UNA was chosen after just its second application.
“Bands from around the world apply to perform, and many try five or six times before they’re even considered,” said Dr. Lloyd Jones, director of the band. “We were shocked to get the call after only two applications. It’s a tremendous opportunity, and we’re excited to represent the university and the state of Alabama.” Planning for the event is more than submitting an application.
“Macy’s plans these events 18 months in advance, and there are significant logistical and financial challenges to consider,” Jones said. The parade provides a $10,000 seed donation to help with costs, but the band is responsible for raising the rest.
“Taking 265 people to New York City is no small task,” Jones said. “We’re looking at transportation, hotels, meals, and other expenses. Many students have never been out of the Southeast, so we’re planning additional activities to make the trip more meaningful.”
Fundraising efforts are underway, with support from the university, alumni, and the local community. “The entire university is behind this,” Jones said. “We’re seeking donations, sponsorships, and other financial support to make this trip a reality.”
The news of the parade performance has sparked excitement among students. Trumpet section leader Michael Vinson called it a great opportunity for the band and UNA’s future.
“It creates more awareness for the university and helps with recruitment,” he said. “It’s amazing that people across the country will see what we can do.”
Another trumpet section leader, Brady Renshaw, who will be in his final year during the parade, said he’s excited to bring North Alabama to New York. “The bus ride won’t be fun, but it’s going to create fantastic memories,” he said. “Performing on such a huge stage will elevate the entire university.”
Reagan Hathaway, a Lionette Captain, said the announcement created a buzz within the band. “The energy was incredible,” she said. “It’s a huge opportunity for the band and the university.”
No one knew what the announcement would be, Senior Lionette Rady Smith said. “What a lot of people thought it was going to be was the new building, really. A lot of people were like, ‘Yes, we’re going to get a new building.’ I was like, ‘Okay, yeah, that would be nice, too.’”
Auxiliary groups are also preparing for the event. Color Guard captain Maddie Shelton said, “I mean, we’ll have to put in a lot of effort and make sure that we’re probably one of the best signs we’ve ever been. I think we’ll have a lot of people that wanna audition with this news, so we have [to work hard]. Yeah, we already have almost 40 signed up for auditions.”
For drum major Kaylie Hendrix, performing in the Macy’s Parade has been a lifelong dream. “I’ve watched the parade every year, and to actually be a part of it is surreal,” Hendrix said. “It’s huge for us and for UNA.”
As the Marching Pride prepares for its national television debut, Jones noted that the band will have only 30 seconds of airtime. “We’re going to select our music carefully to make the most of that time,” Jones said. “It’s a huge responsibility, and we want to make sure we do it right.”
In addition to the parade, there’s talk of a potential performance in Washington, D.C., on the way to New York, though details haven’t been confirmed.
“This is the kind of exposure you can’t buy,” Jones said. “Millions of people will be watching, and, for many, it will be their first introduction to UNA. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our students and a historic moment for the university.”
As the countdown to Thanksgiving 2025 continues, the Marching Pride is ready to represent UNA on one of the nation’s biggest stages.