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RURAL ALL-STAR BAND

2026 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade

Application Due June 1st

Open to rural high school bands

The Rural Band Director Alliance in partnership with Group Travel Network are excited to announce the Rural All-Star Band for the 2026 Thanksgiving Day parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! The mass band will consist of multiple rural bands from around the country. We hope that you will consider joining us for this amazing opportunity!

What You Need to Know:

Who is eligible to apply?

Any rural high school band in the United States with a minimum of 10 students participating. Bands must apply as a unit. Bands with less than 10 students and/or individual band members are not eligible to apply. The RBDA Executive Committee will select the participating bands.

How will travel arrangements work?

A base package for the trip will be offered through Group Travel Network (GTN). All participating groups must purchase the base package from GTN and may choose to make their own travel arrangements to and from Philadelphia either on their own or through GTN. Please see package details below.

What is the application process?

Directors will complete and submit the Google Form and signed agreement by the application deadline. The application includes school and band program information as well as a space to include links to past performances. Please see application for more details.

When are applications due?

June 1, 2025

When will the participating bands be announced?

Summer 2025

Other Information:

  • If accepted, you agree to follow and abide by all Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade rules and regulations.

  • By submitting an application, you consent to receive electronic communication from the Rural Band Director Alliance and Group Travel Network. We never sell or share your personal information.

  • By submitting an application, it is understood that if accepted, the initial deposit for the trip is due September 1, 2025.

  • All participating bands must be accompanied by a director.

  • All students participating in the trip must be in 9th - 12th grade in the 2026-2027 school year.

  • Parade music will be distributed to participating bands in summer 2026. Performers are required to have music memorized upon arrival. The use of flip folders will not be permitted.

  • Auxiliary routines will be sent to participating bands in summer 2026. Performers should have the routine memorized and precise upon arrival.

  • Drumline will be limited to the following instruments: snare, tenor/quad drums, bass drums, and crash cymbals. Any students who typically play mallet or auxiliary percussion will need to march one of the aforementioned instruments. Each participating band is limited to 5 bass drums.

Questions

Application Info

Apply in 2 Easy Steps

STEP 1: 

Download the Parade Application Contract - CLICK HERE

Download the Parade Application Contract and obtain the appropriate signatures. You must have this for Step 2

STEP 2: 

Submit Online Application - CLICK HERE

Fill out the online application and upload your signed contract from Step 1. 

Inclusions

LODGING:

  • Three (3) Nights Lodging at a Philadelphia area hotel

    • C/I: 11/23/26 C/O: 11/26/26

​

MEALS:

  • Three (3) breakfasts at your hotel - Or Similar

  • One (1) cheesesteak lunch - Or Similar

  • One (1) lunch at Reading Market - Or Similar

  • One (1) boxed lunch

  • One (1) welcome dinner

  • One (1) dinner and games at Dave and Busters - Or Similar

  • One (1) dinner cruise - or similar

​

ATTRACTIONS:

  • One (1) guided tour of historic Philadelphia - visit more than 30 historical sites in the Independence Mall area, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center

  • One (1) admission to the Franklin Institute - Or Similar

  • One (1) admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art - Or Similar

​

MISCELLANEOUS:

  • Participation in the 6ABC Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade

  • Instruction from top educators and leaders in the band world

  • Mortorcoach Transportation while in Philadelphia

  • Two (2) luggage tags for each participant

  • Overnight Hotel Monitor to monitor student occupied hallways/rooms from 11pm – 5am nightly.

  • Services of a GTN Service Host with 24-hour availability (Optional gratuity NOT included)

  • Professional Liability Insurance Policy

  • All taxes, applicable fees and restaurant gratuities included

  • Online Registration Portal

  • Individual Payment via online portal

Pricing with Transportation

  • INCLUDES ESTIMATED MOTORCOACH WHILE IN PHILADELPHIA

  • TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM PHILADELPHIA IS ADDITIONAL​​​​​​

LODGING:

​​$1,499 per person / Quad Occupancy​​​

  • ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON

  • PRICING BASED ON A MINIMUM OF 10 PAYING PARTICIPANTS - PER BAND

    • ​Failure to meet minimums may result in increased pricing *

Important Deadlines

  • $150 Per Person First Payment - on or before September 1, 2025

  • $100 Per Person on or before the 1st of each month thereafter

  • FINAL Balance on or before October 1, 2026

    • ​* Note Cancellation Policy on Terms & Conditions *

Other Considerations:​​

  • Fundraisers must coincide with payment deadlines 

  • Maintain on-time payments to avoid cancellation

  •  Please Consider Gratuity For Your GTN Service Host 

Travel Protection

  •  Standard & Enhanced Insurance Options Available 

  • IMPORTANT: 

    • If you wish to purchase ENHANCED Protection It MUST be paid for within 14 days of INITIAL deposit

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