UMass marching band to join this year's Quincy Christmas Parade

QUINCY – Preparations for the city's 69th annual Christmas parade are underway  and the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band plans to participate.

Barry Welch, of the Christmas Festival Committee, on Tuesday said the band, which he called one of the county's "premier college marching bands," will take its 380-plus members down Hancock Street this December.

The Minutemen are noted for their award-winning drumline, large and powerful horn section and enthusiastic color guard. The band has performed for presidential inaugurations and participated in the Macy’s Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade in recent years.

"This is the largest and most decorated band to march in the long history of this parade," Mayor Thomas Koch said in a statement. "I am sure that they will bring great pride to our many citizens who are alumni of UMass and look forward to the large crowds that a band of this caliber will attract to our already great tradition."

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Spectators from Quincy and beyond come to the city by the thousands to watch the 2-mile-long parade  on Hancock Street from Quincy Square to North Quincy High School. Welch said he hopes the UMass band's commitment will encourage other top-tier performers to join the parade.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: UMass marching band to join 2022 Quincy Christmas Parade