On Sunday, March 17, 2013, the Purdue “All-American” Band will march in one of Europe’s most celebrated parades, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.

Band Director Jay Gephart made the announcement during 2011 band’s first public performance Saturday, Aug. 20, at Hull Drill Field, following an intense week of band camp auditions and practice.

The parade announcement comes on the heels of the “All-American” Band’s appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2010. It emphasizes the tradition of travel at Purdue Bands which celebrates 125 years of bands on the West Lafayette campus in 2011.

March 17, 2013, is the final day of spring break. Gephart anticipates the band spending six days on the Emerald Isle prior to the parade and the trip could include other performances. Details of the trip are still being worked out.

In its past, the marching band has performed all over the United States as well as Canada, Colombia, Venezuela, China, Japan and various countries in Europe.