Before Veterans Day was considered a holiday for California State University, Fresno, members of the Bulldog Marching Band would skip class and take time out of their day to participate in the annual Downtown Fresno parade. In 1978, after the November 11th holiday was enacted into law, the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band was given the honor of leading the parade in recognition of their years of dedication to honoring those who served in the armed forces of the United States.
On Monday, Nov. 11, the band lined up just south of the grandstands in front of City Hall. Ahead of them, the U.S. Navy Colorguard and the Boy Scout Troop 257 carried a giant American flag. At 11:11 a.m., the procession moved forward as the full power of the Bulldog Marching Band’s 270 members played Battle Hymn of the Republic.
“How beautiful it is to see a marching band walking by with that beautiful patriotic music,” said news anchor Graciela Moreno on the ABC30 live broadcast. “I’m going to get chills.”
The home crowd reception was enthusiastic as the “Best Band in the West” wound through the streets of Downtown Fresno.
As they packed up after the parade, small talk among the members turned to the fast-approaching peak event of the season – the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, Calif. – their second trip in two years. With just weeks left to prepare, their full attention now shifts from the local community streets to the national stage.
January 2, 2023
It was a cool, bright, 55-degree morning as 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.”
The march through Pasadena
Performing at the Rose Parade presents some unique challenges. With a route of about five and a half miles, plus additional walking to line up and break down, students need to prepare to march about seven miles in full uniform and their instruments.
“It’s really physically challenging since you are marching and playing and a lot of the time dancing over that seven-mile stretch. So one of the first things we started was a workout program specifically designed for marching band students,” said Danielle Densmore, drum major.
Additionally, the band needs to negotiate a 110-degree turn from Orange Grove onto Colorado Blvd. while keeping their alignment. The infamous turn has been meticulously mapped out on the practice field.
Bulldog Marching Band Members Densmore; Elli Lyznick, piccolo and Caleb Benson, color guard, talked about their experience preparing in the latest episode of Artful Discourse from FSR Underground.
“Best Day Ever”
Early this year, 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.”
“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.
To support the Bulldog Marching Band, visit CAH.FresnoState.edu/giving.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 
some band members marched in the jan 1, 2022 rose parade the year prior to marching with Fresno state. The parade was canceled in 2021, but did go in 2022. This will be the 3rd rose parade march for Sam Lozano, Matthew Kerber, and a few others.
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I enjoyed reading about the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band. So proud of them. Also, the inteview with the 3 students was very interesting. Keep up the great work. You’re making the Valley proud.
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Thank you!
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