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Society, Arts and Culture

Mustang Marching Band to Perform in Chinese New Year Parade on Feb. 8 in San Francisco

The Mustang Band, in white, green and gold uniforms, marches up a brightly-lit nighttime street in San Francisco
Written By Michelle Abba

The Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band has been invited to participate for the sixth time in the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, in San Francisco.

The Mustang Marching Band performed for the Chinese New Year Parade for the first time in 2014 and was among 15 marching bands that participated. The band has been awarded first place in the adult marching bands category at each appearance. 

The band’s more than 220 members perform for nearly 50 occasions on campus each year, including athletic events and university functions.

Prior to the parade, the Mustang Band will continue the tradition of performing some of its favorite pep and post-game tunes with the UC Davis Marching Band in front of the Ferry Building.

The Chinese New Year Parade began in the 1860s as a means for Chinese community in San Francisco to educate and share their culture with the greater community. The parade and festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. The parade was named one of the top 10 parades in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association.

The parade will celebrate the “Year of the Rat” with floats, dragon dancers and other festive entries. Over 1 million attendees are expected to line the parade route, and the event will be broadcast live on local television stations KTVU Fox 2 and KTSF Channel 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 8.