Lincoln-Way Marching Band Rose Parade Bound In 2025

FRANKFORT, IL — The 2025 Tournament of Roses parade may still be more than a year off, but the countdown has begun for the Lincoln-Way Marching Band.

Lincoln-Way District 210 officials announced this week that the district’s marching band will make its fourth appearance at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day 2025. The band previously appeared in Pasadena in 1982 and again in 2000, with their most recent appearance in 2019, the district said.

Led by the director team of Cary Ruklic, Justin Barnish, Christopher Mroczek, and Bert Johnson, the more than 200-member Lincoln-Way Marching Band has experienced success locally, regionally, and nationally, including recent performances at the 2021 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and being selected as a 2022 Bands of America Grand Nationals Semifinalist last season, district officials said.

The Lincoln-Way Marching Band has competed three times in the 2023 season with their field show production “Interstellar”, and they have been named the Grand Champion at all three events. They look forward to finishing its competitive season at the Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 21.

"We are so proud of the quality and effort that this ensemble continues to produce each year,” said Mroczek, the band’s director. “You can feel the dedication and passion that the kids have for marching band when you watch a performance, and we are so excited to share that once again with a national audience in Pasadena in January 2025.”