MARCHING.COM: Bowl game parades and holiday parades

Aguiluchos Marching Band in 2004 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade

The holiday season is one of the most active travel periods for marching bands, with performance opportunities at holiday parades and events held in conjunction with college football bowl games.

If you're not lucky enough to be participating in a band trip this year, or you didn't get prime Rose Parade tickets, you can at least catch some of the parades on television. Marching.com has compiled this guide to major parade and field events along with television broadcast schedules.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York City
Thursday, November 22, 2007, 9 AM (Eastern)
Television: Live national coverage on NBC and Telemundo.
Look for 12 marching bands, including Macy's Great American Marching Band with members from across the U.S.

McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade
Chicago, Illinois
Thursday, November 22, 2007, 8:30 AM (Central)
Television: Live national coverage on Superstation WGN.
More than 20 marching bands plus giant helium balloons.

Sun Bowl Parade
El Paso, Texas
Thursday, November 22, 2007, 10 AM (Mountain)
Television: Live regional coverage on NBC affiliate KTSM.
Fifteen marching bands, including several bands from Mexico.

Waikiki Holiday Parade
Honolulu, Hawaii
Friday, November 23, 2007
Bands from the mainland join local bands from the islands.

Hollywood Santa Parade
Hollywood, California
Sunday, November 25, 2007, 5 PM (Pacific)
The City of Los Angeles has picked up the tradition after the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced it could no longer produce the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. Look for 17 marching bands from California plus celebrities.

Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade
San Diego, California
Thursday, December 27, 2007, 10 AM (Pacific)
Television: Live local coverage. National broadcast on USA Network on December 28 at 9 AM (Eastern/Pacific).
In conjunction with the Holiday Bowl festivities. Look for 16 high school bands plus numerous balloons.

Liberty Bowl Parade
Memphis, Tennessee
Friday, December 28, 2007, 4 PM (Central)
No television coverage.
Approximately fifteen high school bands plus bands representing the two college teams.

Orlando Citrus Parade
Orlando, Florida
Saturday, December 29, 2007, 11 AM (Eastern)
Television: Shown in more than 100 cities. Check local listings for broadcast times.
Twenty high school marching bands plus unique citrus floats.

Fiesta Bowl Parade
Phoenix, Arizona
Saturday, December 29, 2007, 11 AM (Mountain)
Television: Live local coverage on 3TV and a live webcast at www.azfamily.com.
Seventeen bands from nine states are participating. The Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship on December 28 features bands in field competition.

Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade
Atlanta, Georgia
Monday, December 31, 2007, 12:30 PM (Eastern)
No television coverage.
Look for 18 high school marching bands plus the two university bands.

Comerica Bank New Year's Parade
Dallas, Texas
Monday, December 31, 2007, 2:00 PM (Central)
Televised locally and a live webcast.
This second-year event revives the tradition of a parade in conjunction with the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. Fifteen high school and two university marching bands are scheduled.

Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade
Jacksonville, Florida
Monday, December 31, 2007, 3 PM (Eastern)
Television: Live regional coverage on Comcast channels 14 and 99.
Twenty-three high school bands and two university bands.

Tournament of Roses Parade
Pasadena, California
Tuesday, January 1, 2008, 8 AM (Pacific)
Television: Live coverage on nine networks including HGTV, ABC, NBC and Telemundo.
Themed "Passport to the World's Celebrations," this year's parade features strong international participation. Look for 21 marching bands including bands from Japan, El Salvador, Canada, Switzerland and Puerto Rico.

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Spotlight

'Tis the Season: Marching bands travel to bowl game parades and holiday parades