Benton, Arkansas – For most, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a dazzling spectacle viewed from the comfort of a couch, but for 16-year-old Reaghan Powell of Harmony Grove, this year the excitement was much closer—she marched in it.
Powell has admired the parade her entire life, imagining the floats, bands, and performers as she watched on television. This year, her admiration turned into reality. As a member of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, Powell brought her skills as a color guard performer to one of the nation’s most famous holiday traditions.
“While the Macy’s Great American Marching Band was performing last year, I looked at my mom and I said, ‘I want to do that. I want to be in the band,’” Powell said. That single declaration set her on a journey that would require talent, dedication, and resilience.
Earning a place in the parade was just the beginning. Powell and her fellow band members faced intense preparation once they arrived in New York. “We had three days of rehearsals for about five hours. And then on Thanksgiving morning — we had a 2 a.m. rehearsal in Herald Square,” she recalled. Despite the early hours and long days, Powell’s enthusiasm never waned.
The payoff came as she and the band performed along the streets of Manhattan, surrounded by millions of cheering spectators. “I saw people as far as the eye could see. They were on the sidewalks. They were in the buildings at the very, very top. Watching from the windows and cheering us on,” Powell said. The overwhelming crowd made it a moment she will never forget, yet her focus remained personal.
For Powell, the most poignant memory of the day came when she spotted her parents in the crowd. “That was such an emotional moment for me. Because they’ve supported me so much throughout this experience,” she said. “And seeing them still support me all the way through… to getting up at 3 a.m. to find a spot to watch me. It’s indescribable.”
Her performance in the parade is a testament to her hard work and dedication to color guard, a pursuit she has embraced for years. Beyond the glittering flags and coordinated routines, Powell’s journey reflects the blend of ambition, discipline, and family support that turns dreams into reality.
For this Harmony Grove teen, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was more than just a spectacle—it was a dream fulfilled, a family shared moment, and a story of perseverance that will inspire other young performers to chase their own ambitions, no matter how big or dazzling they may seem.
