2027 Macy's Day Parade Adds Brandon Valley High School Band

As hard as it is to believe, we’re already creeping toward the middle of September.

Here in Sioux Falls, that means summer is officially running on fumes. Pretty soon, the shorts will be disappearing into the back of the closet, the pumpkin spice everything will be taking over, and we’ll be deciding which warm-weather weekend is perfect to put up Christmas decorations again.

And speaking of the holidays, Thanksgiving is only about two and a half months away. If you think that sounds like plenty of time, just wait until you blink, and suddenly you’re standing in a grocery store checkout line with a turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, and a pumpkin pie in your cart.

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But while most of us will be thinking about turkey, mashed potatoes and how to avoid being assigned dish duty, some Brandon Valley High School students will have something much bigger on their minds in 2027.

They’re heading to New York City to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade next November!

According to Dakota News Now, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden shared the exciting news Saturday night, September 5, with the crowd attending the Pigskin Classic in Brandon.

That’s a pretty big announcement for Brandon Valley, and an even bigger trip for the students who will get to experience one of the most iconic Thanksgiving traditions in the country.

Every year, hundreds of high school marching bands from across the United States apply for the opportunity to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Only a select few get the invitation to make the trip to the Big Apple.

Brandon Valley High School has traveled this road before.

The 2027 parade will mark the second time the Brandon Valley High School band has been selected to perform. The first time was way back in 1998.

Think about that for a second. The Brandon Valley students who will be marching down the streets of Manhattan in 2027 weren't even born the last time their school performed in the parade.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade itself has been a holiday tradition for more than a century. The first parade was held on November 27, 1924, although it was originally known as the Macy’s Christmas Parade.

The parade eventually became a television tradition as well, with NBC beginning national broadcasts in 1953. Today, millions of people tune in Thanksgiving morning to watch the floats, giant balloons, performers, and marching bands make their way through New York City.

South Dakota is no stranger to the Macy's Day Parade spotlight.

Just two years ago, in 2024, the Lincoln High School Marching Band from Sioux Falls performed during the annual Thanksgiving Day tradition.

For the Brandon Valley students selected to make the trip, 2027 Thanksgiving morning is going to look a whole lot different than it does for the rest of us.

While we're sitting on the couch in sweatpants, watching the parade and waiting for the turkey to come out of the oven, they'll be in New York City, marching through Manhattan in front of millions of people.

You have to admit, that's a pretty cool way to spend Thanksgiving Day!

More details about Brandon Valley High School's journey to the Big Apple are expected to be rolled out as the 2027 parade gets closer.