The Pride of Clover Marching Band will make history by representing South Carolina at the 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena on January 1, 2026.
CLOVER, S.C. — The Pride of Clover Marching Band is set to make history as it prepares to represent South Carolina in the 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, on January 1, 2026. The band, under the direction of Rick Langdale Jr., will be the first from the Palmetto State to appear in the iconic parade in over two decades and only the seventh ever to do so.
“This is only the seventh time that South Carolina has had a band to represent the state in Pasadena,” Langdale said during an interview on Live Impact News on WCNC+. “The last one was in 2003, so it’s been a little over 21 years”
The selection process for the Rose Parade is rigorous, Langdale explained during the Wednesday interview on WCNC Charlotte's streaming channel. Bands from around the world submit applications nearly two years in advance, including detailed videos, letters of recommendation, and proof of performance capabilities. One unique requirement is footage of the band executing a 105-degree turn, an essential maneuver for the parade’s route.
“They want to know that the band could turn and it not be a disaster,” Langdale explained, noting the high visibility of the event.
“If you miss the turn, you could run into Hoda’s tower or something like that," Langdale said referencing NBC's Hoda Kotb, who hosted the 2025 parade coverage alongside Today's Al Roker.
The Clover band, a 5A program competing at the highest level in South Carolina, has consistently placed in the top five at state competitions. With a current membership of over 200 students and growing, the band is anticipating a group of up to 300 students for the California trip.
The journey will be more than just a parade. The itinerary includes performances at Disneyland, participation in Bandfest, and visits to Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood.
“We want the kids to be so exhausted when they get back to the hotel they’re not up to anything,” Langdale joked.
But the opportunity comes with a steep price tag—an estimated $1 million. Each student’s all-inclusive cost is expected to be around $4,000. The band is actively fundraising to offset these expenses, aiming to raise $300,000 to reduce airfare costs and ensure every student can participate.
Community support has already begun to pour in. Local businesses are contributing through creative initiatives like chocolate roses and custom merchandise, and the Clover Educational Foundation has donated $20,000. The band has also launched a “Sponsor a Mile” campaign at cloverbands.com/roseparade, where supporters can contribute based on the 2,400-mile journey from Clover to Pasadena.
Langdale emphasized the broader significance of the moment: “Whether you’re a band person or not, the Rose Parade… has such a rich history,” he said. “It’s a huge thing… not only for Clover High School but really South Carolina, if not the Carolinas."
As the countdown to January begins, the Pride of Clover is not only preparing for a seven-mile march but also carrying the hopes and pride of an entire community—and state—on its shoulders.
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