Harlem High School’s Bulldog Marching Band will help New York City celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
The Columbia County high school that just sent a boy’s basketball team to the state AAA basketball championship game now is sending its band to march in the city’s 265th St. Patrick’s parade down a stretch of Fifth Avenue.
In October 2025, the HHS Band won a “best marching band in the land” poll sponsored by The Augusta Chronicle that attracted more than 80,000 votes for Augusta-area schools.
Bands wishing to march in the historic parade send applications to parade organizers at least a year in advance. The HHS band, under the direction of Curtis Carver, learned about its 2026 parade selection in spring 2025.
FILE – The Harlem High School marching band performs in the 36th annual Oliver Hardy Festival parade through downtown Harlem.
Visiting bands often accompany Irish-themed parade units. The Bulldogs will march with members of the County Westmeath Association of New York heritage group, according to the parade’s planned route.
HHS’ band visited New York in 2017 on its spring trip, but did not march in the parade. HHS is one of four Georgia bands scheduled to march in the 2026 parade.
Effingham County High School’s Rebel Regiment, in Springfield near Savannah, will lead off the parade, accompanying the grand marshal, finance executive Robert J. McCann.
The Northside High School Blue Wind Band from Warner Robins will accompany the County Wexford PS&B Association of New York.
The Bainbridge High School Band in southwest Georgia will accompany the International Union of Operating Engineers and the James Connolly Irish-American Labor Coalition.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Harlem High band to march in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade