The Pride of the Dakotas: Jackrabbits headed to Windy City
The Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band will join the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade in fall 2026.
More than 300 Jackrabbits will travel to the Windy City from Nov. 23-27, marching in the parade on Nov. 26.
“It’s one of the largest Thanksgiving parades in the country. It’s a major parade in a major American city. An estimated 400,000 people on the street will watch it. It’s a big deal,” said Kevin Kessler '98, director of athletic bands at South Dakota State University.
The three-hour parade starts at 8 a.m., and The Pride will have at least two pieces of music ready. The school’s fight song, “Ring the Bell,” is a must. The other piece or pieces will be decided this summer with student and staff input.
The trip also includes plenty of time for sightseeing and exploring all Chicago has to offer.
Whenever The Pride leaves campus, members are representing not only SDSU’s marching band program but the entire university. That’s nothing new to the band.
In the band’s history, The Pride has marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, two presidential inaugural parades, two Tournament of Roses parades, the National Independence Day Parade and more. In 1939, The Pride went to Winnipeg and marched in a parade honoring the king and queen of England for their first royal trip to the Americas.
Written by University Marketing & Communications
Help Send The Pride to Chicago
Students will be responsible for part of the expenses, but we are looking for support from donors to make the trip accessible to as many students as possible.
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