Because of a partnership between the Republic Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade and WorldStrides OnStage, high school marching bands will have the chance to march in the parade that kicks off the Kentucky Derby weekend.
WorldStrides OnStage is accepting applications for bands to perform in the 2018.
“This family-friendly annual event showcases some of the nation’s finest marching bands and equestrian units, along with inflatable characters and colorful floats,” says Zach Fisher, parade event manager. “We are very excited to collaborate with WorldStrides OnStage because they work with the highest caliber of marching bands.”
Various celebrities have been featured in the Pegasus Parade over the years, such as Muhammad Ali, John Wayne, Loretta Lynn, William Shatner, Bill Monroe, Diane Sawyer, Colonel Harland Sanders, Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and the 2013 University of Louisville Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams.
WorldStrides OnStage also annually partners with major college bowl games in an effort to provide high-school groups with chances to perform during the halftime shows and pre-game parades. Their roster of performance events includes the Sugar Bowl, Sugar Bowl Parade, Fiesta Bowl Parade, Holiday Bowl, Orange Bowl, Camping World Bowl, and the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade.
“We are so excited to be part of the Republic Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade,” said Chad Slater, vice president of bowl games at WorldStrides OnStage. “We are so proud to give student performers a lineup of unique events developed to give young performers the opportunity to perform for an audience deserving of their talent, and truly understand the reward of hard work and practice.”
