Albany State marching band to make history in Detroit Thanksgiving parade

Albany State University’s Marching Rams Show Band will become the first HBCU band to perform in America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit on Nov. 26, 2026, during the event’s 100th anniversary. The appearance brings national visibility to the university and adds a full-circle homecoming for band director Dr. William Brooks, a Detroit native.

Why it matters: - Albany State University’s Marching Rams Show Band will be the first Historically Black College and University band to perform in America’s Thanksgiving Parade. - The appearance lands during the parade’s 100th anniversary, putting Albany State on a national stage in one of Detroit’s biggest holiday traditions. - The performance gives the university a high-profile showcase for student talent, HBCU marching band culture and regional identity.

What happened: - The Marching Rams Show Band will perform in America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, Michigan, on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. - The Parade Company invited Albany State University to join the 100th parade presented by Gardner White. - Tony Michaels, president and CEO of The Parade Company, said the organization is honored to have Albany State in the 100th parade and looks forward to the band on Woodward Avenue Thanksgiving morning.

The details: - The parade is one of the nation’s oldest and most celebrated holiday traditions. - Organizers say the event draws hundreds of thousands of spectators along its three-mile route and millions more on television. - The parade is scheduled to step off at 8:45 a.m. EST at Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street. - The route will run through downtown Detroit and end at Woodward Avenue and Congress Street. - Before the parade, the band will take part in community outreach across the Detroit area. - Planned outreach includes visits to K-12 schools for recruitment, performances and cultural exchange. - The band will present itself as the “Soul of Southwest Georgia” on the national stage. - Christopher Pennyman, a junior music education major and clarinet musician, said the moment lets the band share its talent and uphold the standard of excellence of HBCUs.

Between the lines: - Dr. William Brooks’ connection to the parade adds a personal layer to the booking. - Brooks grew up in Detroit, marched in the parade as a middle and high school student, and later returned as a high school band director. - Brooks now leads the Marching Rams Show Band as director of bands at Albany State, turning the performance into a homecoming as well as a milestone. - The parade slot also reflects the band’s growing profile under Brooks, who has led the program since 2023. - The band has expanded from 26 musicians to a goal of 160 members in four years. - Albany State says the Marching Rams have also gained national recognition through appearances at the National Battle of the Bands and an ESPN “Band to Watch” designation.

What’s next: - The Marching Rams will continue preparing for the Detroit appearance ahead of Thanksgiving 2026. - The band’s community outreach in Detroit will run in the days leading up to the parade. - Albany State is using the invitation as another platform to highlight student achievement and cultural pride.

The bottom line: - Albany State is sending its marching band into a historic parade slot that combines first-time representation for HBCUs with a deeply personal return for its director.