The shortest parade with the longest history in New York City

Seymour “Sy” Katz ’31 was an avid supporter of all things Cornell. He fell in love with the Big Red Marching Band in the late-60s and decided the band needed its own parade. In 1972, with the help of friends at the Cornell Club-New York, he managed to get a police permit to march one city block. Over the years, the parade has taken on a life of its own, but the mission remains the same: to give the Big Red Marching Band a time to shine. Sy took great pride in the fact that “No other Ivy has its very own parade in New York City!”

The biennial tradition is spearheaded by Cornell’s Division of Alumni Affairs and Development, in partnership with: Alice Katz Berglas ’66, Penny Haitkin ’65, and Bob Katz ’69; the Cornell Club-New York; the Big Red Marching Band Alumni Association; Cornell Athletics; Cornell Cheerleaders; and, of course, the Cornell Big Red Marching Band.

Parade memories

Relive your favorite Sy Katz ’31 Parade moments. See photos from the 2022 parade, the 2018 parade, and the 2016 parade.