There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who get excited to watch football on Thanksgiving, and those who get excited about watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

I happen to fall into the latter category.

Ever since I was a young kid, I awoke every Thanksgiving morning, ran downstairs, and immediately turned on the Thanksgiving Day Parade if it wasn't already on. It's a tradition that I still stick to 20+ years later. 

Along with the spectacular floats, musical acts, and high-flying balloons, the staple of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the marching band performances. Programs from across the world travel to New York City for their chance to bask in the spotlight in front of a national audience, and I've got to say that this may be one of the strongest groups of marching band programs that the parade has assembled.

Here's everything you need to know about all 12 marching band programs that are attending the 2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:

Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction

Hailing from Columbia, SC, the Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction was founded in the 1960s under the direction of Roy McCollough. The band performs at most football games, home basketball games, and several special events throughout the year, including at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade which will mark the program's first appearance in the Parade.

Bourbon County High School Marching Colonels

This Paris, Kentucky-based program is also making its first appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year. The 8-Time KMEA State Champion and 5-time BOA 1A National Champion will surely dazzle the crowd with their intricate drill and musical programming.

Carmel High School Marching Greyhounds

Those familiar with the marching band and color guard sphere will find Indiana's Carmel High School a familiar face in this year's Parade lineup. The Marching Greyhounds are 5-time Bands of America Grand National Champions and 24-time Grand National Finalist.  At the state level, the Marching Greyhounds are 5-time ISSMA State Champions and have made State Finals for 30 years. The band has previously performed in the 2014 Rose Parade, the 2004 London New Yar's Parade, and has made a previous appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2011.

Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band

The Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band is a marching band ensemble originating from the Clovis North Educational Center in Fresno, California. This dedicated group of students that make up the band participate in local and statewide events and championships. The band has won several awards, such as being named Western Band Association class or grand champions multiple times since 2010. This is the program's first time participating in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Delfines Marching Band

Making its way from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, the Delfines Marching Band is one of Mexico's largest bands with over 300 student musicians. According to the official Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade website, spectators can look forward to the program's performance, in which they will "showcase 100 young artists - guys in traditional Mexican Mariachi outfits with big sombreros and its women dancers wearing dresses adorned with brightly colored ribbons."

Tarpon Springs Outdoor Performance Ensemble

Hailing from Tarpon Springs, Florida, the Tarpon Springs Outdoor Performance Ensemble is making its second appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in under 10 years. The Marching Band performs at football games and regularly travels for State, Regional, and National competitions around the country. This particular ensemble is the most accomplished marching band of any in the state of Florida.

The Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band

"The Pride" is the most visible band at SDSU. In addition to performances during the pregame and halftime activities of all home Jackrabbit football games, the Pride has toured the Upper Midwest extensively, presenting shows at the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Winnipeg Blue Bombers football games and several guest performances at high school marching competitions in Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota. This will be the program's first time attending the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The University of Missouri's Marching Mizzou

Over its 137-year history, Marching Mizzou has grown to be the most visible and largest ensemble in the University of Missouri's School of Music. With powerful music, creative and viral show designs, and a marching style that is clean, precise, quick-moving, and entertaining, Marching Mizzou continues to captivate audiences of all ages at football games, parades, and performances both domestic and abroad, rightfully taking its place among the nation’s oldest and finest university band programs. The program has previously traveled to Dublin, Ireland for the 2012 and 2016 St. Patrick's Festival Parade and will be making its first appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

Vandegrift High School Viper Marching Band & Vision Dance Company

Fresh off of a UIL 6A State Marching Band win, the Vandegrift High School will represent Texas at its Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut. The Viper Band and Vision Dance Company are four-time BOA Regional Champions, the 2019 BOA Grand National Champions, and have received the Sudler Shield International Marching Band Award along with many more accolades. 

(PS, if you missed our feature on Vandegrift HS from the Texas Marching Classic, you'll want to check out this video)

Macy's Great American Marching Band

It's not the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade without Macy's Great American Marching Band! "This group, which brings together the country's finest high school musicians, made its inaugural appearance in our 80th Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2006. Since then, it has become a time-honored tradition for the band to participate."

The Queer Big Apple Corps

According to the official Macy's website, "The Queer Big Apple Corps, formerly known as The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps, may have the world's only curtseying drumline. Since its formation in 1979, the band has represented the LGBTQIA+ community and brought "The Sound of Love & Joy" to audiences across the US and Canada. This fall marks its 43rd anniversary."

NYPD Marching Band

Commonly known as the NYPD Police Band, the ensemble is an American Police band that serves under the NYPD in New York City. The band currently has 70 members and is part of the NYPD Ceremonial Unit. The band's motto is as follows: Serve, Protect and Entertain. The NYPD Band performs at department ceremonies, parades, and community events across the city and in concerts around the world.