It was a cool, bright, 55-degree morning on Jan. 2, 2023, when the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band began its march down Orange Grove Boulevard as the last entry in the Rose Parade. The theme was “Turning the Corner,” as this was the first Rose Parade to be held in person after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. But for the Bulldog Marching Band, “Turning the Corner” had a more immediate meaning – the 110-degree “broadcast” corner. The 270-piece band continued playing as it negotiated the turn onto Colorado Boulevard and into the main grandstand area.
“The Best Band in the West” gave a high-energy performance that wowed the spectators and television hosts. The drums kicked off as the band broke ranks and danced into a new formation before breaking into a powerful rendition of “Hey Pachuco.”
Local station KTLA Rose Parade hosts Leeza Gibbons and Mark Steines caught the vibe.
“I want to get in my car and drive to Fresno right now!” Steines said. “They have a lot of fun up there.”
Now, the Bulldog Marching Band is preparing for a second trip to Pasadena in two years. The Tournament of Roses Association selected the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band as a participant in the 2025 Rose Parade, held on Jan. 1 in Pasadena. The Bulldogs are one of 20 bands that will perform at the 136th Rose Parade. The 2025 parade theme is “Best Day Ever.”
The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band invites the public to enjoy two days of field rehearsals, culminating each day in a performance. Rehearsals are from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 30 and 31 at Valley Children’s Stadium and are free and open to the public. Performances will take place between 8:45 and 9:45 p.m. both evenings.
“We are thrilled that the Bulldog Marching Band will be representing Fresno State once again in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day,” said Dr. Honora Chapman, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State. “Millions of people around the world will be able to hear the musical pride of the Valley play, and we hope that many Bulldogs will join us in Pasadena to cheer them on.”
In addition to the Rose Parade, the band will perform in the Tournament of Roses Bandfest field show with other participating marching bands in an opportunity to showcase their musicianship and pageantry.
“We are honored that the Tournament of Roses committee felt that our band gave one of the best performances in recent memory and have invited us back,” said Steve McKeithen, director of the Bulldog Marching Band. “We look forward to the challenge of raising our already high bar for the second rose parade appearance in program history. Go ’Dogs and go Bulldog Marching Band!”
The Bulldog Marching Band represents Fresno State as the largest and winningest college marching band of its kind, having been recognized by the College Band Directors National Association as one of the country’s top eight college marching bands. The Bulldog Marching Band is the largest student organization on campus, and its members come from every major at Fresno State. The band started in 1926 and grew to more than 200 members in the mid-1980s, now at its largest membership with about 270 members. The Bulldog Marching Band is always on a new adventure, whether performing in the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland or ringing in the new year at the Rose Parade for the second time.
