Award winning and million-selling artist MercyMe will appear on “Mount Rushmore’s American Pride” float in the 89th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®.

According to a release from the South Dakota Department of Tourism, Secretary Jim Hagen hailed the choice. “We are thrilled that MercyMe will be performing on our float. Their music and unique sound have garnered them millions of fans around the country. We know they will be a hit with Macy’s Parade spectators.”

This is the Department of Tourism’s sixth year appearing on a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The goal of the appearance is to drive new and repeat visitors to South Dakota, in addition to creating brand awareness. It is estimated that more than 3.5 million spectators on the streets of New York City and more than 60 million television viewers nationwide will watch the parade.

Since their breakthrough single I Can Only Imagine in 2001, MercyMe has been a consistent presence within Contemporary Christian music winning multiple Dove Awards along the way. A number of their songs have also crossed over into mainstream circles.

MercyMe aboard the “American Pride” float will make their national appearance on NBC-TV on Thursday, Nov. 26, between 9 a.m. and noon in all time zones. Also appearing on the “American Pride” float this year will be the Department of Tourism’s Mount Rushmore mascots.

Previous performers on the South Dakota float in the parade include Neil Diamond and Don McLean. It's the second consecutive year that a Christian band has performed on the state's float following the 2014 appearance of NeedtoBreathe.

 

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