March in the parade!  

The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade is looking for high school and community marching bands to participate in the magic on Thanksgiving Eve! Bands should be inclusive of woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments and may also include auxiliary units of flags, dancers, majorettes, and rifles. The selection committee will review all applications and extend invitations to the top bands to participate in the 2023 Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade.  

This is a competitive application as the parade will include six (6) High School Marching Bands and four (4) Community Marching Bands. Bands should be uniform, organized, and can incorporate exciting lighting elements into their performance.  

Applications for the 2023 Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade closed August 31, 2023. Applications for the 2024 parade will open February 2024.

Community Marching Bands

To be selected to participate in the Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade, community marching bands must be uniform, organized, and can incorporate special lighting elements into their performance. Community marching bands are prohibited from stopping on the performance floor; however, they are encouraged to play as they walk through the performance floor. Bands that are unorganized or stop on the performance floor will not be invited back to participate in the parade. 

High School Marching Bands

Selected high school marching bands will perform in the parade and compete in the Battle of the Bands. After the parade, viewers will vote for their favorite participating High School Marching Band. The band with the most votes will win the Battle of the Bands trophy.   

Additionally, selected high school marching band participating seniors will be able to apply for The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade scholarship program. The program includes multiple $1,000 grant scholarships and the $2,500 Queen Charlotte Music Scholarship. Information about these scholarships and how to apply will be sent to participating marching bands’ directors.  

High School marching bands must be uniform, organized, and can incorporate special lighting elements into their performance. Bands that are unorganized or ignore parade rules will not be invited back to participate in the parade.