One of the nation’s most cherished Thanksgiving Day traditions is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. This year, “Country Roads” will be echoing throughout New York City as the Pride of West Virginia, the 330-member West Virginia University Marching Band, makes its second appearance at the extravaganza.

Last at the parade in 2016, band leaders learned last year during the Backyard Brawl against the University of Pittsburgh that they had been selected for the honor. The band will be just one of 11 marching bands in attendance Thursday morning.

“Participating in the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was a tremendous experience for our students,” said Scott Tobias, associate professor and director of bands. “We all look forward to returning to New York City with ‘The Pride of West Virginia’ to represent the School of Music, the university and the entire state of West Virginia on one of the grandest stages for marching bands.”

Two of the band’s four drum majors hail from the Upper Ohio Valley — Shaylee Groves of Weirton (Brooke High School) and Isaac Neff of Paden City (Paden City High School).

That’s just one more reason to watch.

“For more than 100 years, the Mountaineer Marching Band has entertained audiences, from hometown halftime shows to parade routes and venues across the country, representing their state with pageantry and style,” said Wesley Whatley, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade creative producer.

“The Macy’s Parade Band Committee is proud to welcome back the talented students at West Virginia University to the Big Apple to march in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”