Northern Arizona University’s Lumberjack Marching Band took part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, becoming the first college marching band from Arizona to do so. According to a statement shared with ABC15, the band played for a bigger audience than they usually see in Arizona.
The band, made up of more than 250 members, has been practicing for the event for the past 18 months. Their performance took place on the streets of New York, where about 3.5 million people watched the parade, as per AZ Family. The performance highlighted Northern Arizona on a national stage.
Sebastian Cisneros-Ortega, an NAU junior and drum major, described the experience as overwhelming and unforgettable in an interview with ABC15. Band director Stephen Meyer expressed pride in the students, noting the large audience of about 3.5 million people along the parade route and how the band rose to the occasion.
During the event, the band also took part in the parade’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, with senior students Samantha Fagan and Vinny Solano helping open the parade for Cynthia Erivo. Both students described the experience as a meaningful and memorable conclusion to their time in the marching band.
The NAU Lumberjacks’ performance was a milestone not just for the school, but for the wider Arizona community. The band raised $250,000 to cover expenses and performed three songs, leaving an impression on both parade spectators and viewers at home. Band director Stephen Meyer described the experience as a demonstration of the results of hard work. Students and staff returned with lasting memories from participating in a historic parade that marks the start of the holiday season.
