Court Street was closed for two purposes on Friday, Nov. 7. The first was the final First Friday Festival of the year. The second was to make way for the University of North Alabama Marching Pride. 

Clad in white, purple, and gold, the 275-member band marched the same routine they will play for the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade in New York City later this month. 

In New York, they will have seventy-five seconds to cross the “go-line” into Harold Square, play their selected pieces and leave. 

The Director of Bands, Dr. Lloyd Jones, has chosen to highlight the Shoals through the pieces “Mustang Sally” and “Old Time Rock and Roll.” For the performance this weekend, they also added “St. Louis Blues,” a drum cadence, and UNA’s fight song with “Battle Hymn” afterwards. 

Drum Major Aiden Trout said that the band is marching with longer strides and a faster pace than in their halftime routine. 

The fourth-year student said preparing for this season has been “drastically” different than any previous year because the band has been rehearsing for both the Macy’s Day Parade and their usual half-time performances. These rehearsals have paid off in community support. 

On Friday, the band performed three separate times at 5:45pm, 6:45pm, and 7:45pm. Crowds gathered on both sides of the street in support and praise for the Marching Pride. Some members of the crowd came only to see the Marching Pride, while others stayed for multiple performances. 

UNA’s Marching Band is filling both university students and Shoals residents with a newfound sense of pride.