East Carolina University Marching Pirates selected to perform in 101st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

GREENVILLE, N.C. (10/08/2026) - The East Carolina University Marching Pirates will take center stage in the 101st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2027.

The announcement was revealed as a surprise to members of the Marching Pirates at the conclusion of rehearsal Wednesday evening. ECU was selected from an estimated 100 bands nationwide to participate in the Thanksgiving Day tradition.

ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers was present for the presentation and congratulated the band.

"I had no idea how emotional it would make me feel to see you all feel so happy and excited. This is a big deal," said Rogers.

"There are so many times in the life of this university where we get to celebrate the things that we do, and you all lead those celebrations. I am so proud of you and you make this university so proud. It's a great day to be a Pirate."

The 2027 appearance will mark the first time the Marching Pirates have performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The invitation represents one of the highest honors in collegiate marching band performance and will place ECU before a live audience of millions gathered in New York City and an estimated national television audience of more than 30 million viewers watching from home.

"There's really no bigger impact that we could have on a student's musical journey through their collegiate life than this particular moment," said Dr. Joe Busuito, associate director of bands and director of athletic bands at ECU.

Busuito worked with Macy's Parade staff and a small group of ECU faculty and staff for several weeks to keep the selection a secret while planning the surprise announcement for students.

School of Music director Chrstopher Ulffers said the "incredible" part of the Macy's opportunity is that ECU and the Marching Pirates will be seen and heard by about 3.5 million people on the streets of New York and more than 30 million through TV and streaming platforms.

"The students in the band that do this will tell their grandkids about it," Ulffers said. "They'll watch the parade with their grandchildren on Thanksgiving Day and go, 'I remember when I marched in that parade.'"

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a holiday tradition since 1924, featuring world-famous character balloons, elaborate floats, musical performances and the arrival of Santa Claus.

For the Marching Pirates, the invitation is the culmination of years of musical excellence, dedication and performance, while providing students with an opportunity few collegiate bands ever experience.

Macy's provided $10,000 to kick off the Marching Pirates' fundraising efforts. Busuito and Ulffers aim to raise $500,000 to cover the week-long trip for 300 people and nearly as many instruments.

Those interested in supporting the Marching Pirates can give online, and Busuito said the opportunity is great for the community to contribute.

Additional details about travel plans, fundraising efforts and parade preparations will be announced in the coming months.

Contact: ECU News Services, [email protected]

Media Resources: Video, photo and interview assets available for download.

###

About the Marching Pirates

The East Carolina University Marching Pirates are one of the university's most visible student organizations, performing at ECU football games, campus events and community celebrations throughout the year. Composed of students representing a wide range of academic disciplines, the band serves as musical ambassadors for the university and eastern North Carolina.

About East Carolina University

Founded in 1907 as a teacher's college, East Carolina University (ECU) is a Carnegie R1 designated research institution. ECU is a member of the University of North Carolina System and serves more than 27,000 students. The university advances innovation and discovery in healthcare, coastal resilience, education and regional economic growth. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU is committed to being a national leader in community-focused innovation, bringing meaningful impact across the state and nation.

East Carolina University News Services
Howard House, 1001 E. Fifth Street
Greenville, NC 27858
[email protected]
Phone: 252-328-6481
www.ecu.edu/news