Marching Tigers to Appear in 2026 London New Year’s Day Parade; Event to Air on Nine PBS

The Edwardsville High School Marching Tigers will take the international stage on Jan. 1, 2026, as they perform in the 40th Anniversary London New Year’s Day Parade, one of the world’s largest and most celebrated New Year’s events. 

Viewers throughout the region can watch the Edwardsville students perform on Nine PBS (Channel 9) at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 1 (or streamed online at https://www.ninepbs.org). In honor of the parade’s 40th anniversary, Nine PBS will also air “London Parade: A Tribute to 40 Years” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, and 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. 

The invitation for EHS to perform was formally extended in fall 2024 by Bob Bone, founder and chair of the London New Year’s Day Parade. The Marching Tigers will join more than 8,000 performers from around the world as they represent Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 on the streets of historic London. 

While abroad, students will also spend a week experiencing the city’s rich cultural and educational opportunities, including museums, historic landmarks, and significant architectural and artistic sites. 

EHS Band Director Ryan Lipscomb said the opportunity marks an important milestone for the program. 

“While the EHS Marching Tigers are known throughout the state for their excellence and have performed throughout the country, this is an exciting opportunity to go global,” Lipscomb said. “We want to become a band that people talk about not just in our area and not just in our state, but now we can have this international venue.” 

The selection is the culmination of careful planning. The band traditionally travels every four years, with recent trips including performances at The Magic Kingdom in Orlando. Lipscomb sought a trip with deeper educational impact and a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

“I had heard about the London Parade from friends in college and from band directors who had taken their groups,” he said. “Once I received the district’s blessing to pursue an invitation, everything fell into place. My goal has always been to give the students experiences they’re going to remember forever, so when the opportunity came up, it was just too good to miss.” 

As the Marching Tigers prepare to march in London on Jan. 1, they have put in more rehearsal hours this time of year than they typically would. 

“We normally wrap up the parade season with the Edwardsville Veterans Day Parade, but we were able to keep working and hopefully be ready for the London New Year’s Day Parade,” said Lipscomb. “I think the students are enjoying the challenge of knowing an estimated 500,000 people will be on the parade route, as well as how many people will be watching it from home.”