Pride Of The Dakotas Band Gears Up For Thanksgiving Parade

While most of us are enjoying our Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by friends and family, one well known group of South Dakotans will be hard at work representing the Mount Rushmore State at a huge event.

The South Dakota State  Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band will be part of the 92nd Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, on November 26th in the Windy City.

More than 300 Jackrabbits march in front of 400,000 along the parade route, with thousands more watching on television.

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The Pride will feature at least two pieces of music during the three-hour parade - the school’s fight song, “Ring the Bell,” and another piece or pieces which will be selected this summer with student and staff input.

Over the years, The Pride has traveled all over North America to represent SDSU, including a 1939 trip to Canada to march in a royal parade honoring the king and queen of England.

The Pride has marched in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, two presidential inaugural parades, two Rose Parades, the National Independence Day Parade, and more.

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade runs down State Street, from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. This free, televised holiday tradition features giant balloons, marching bands, cultural acts, and popular characters, including Teddy the Turkey and Santa Claus

The event dates back to 1934 when it was known as the as the "Holiday Caravan" to lift spirits during the Great Depression.

[brandedappromo]