More than 20 groups represent SPS in Springfield Christmas Parade

Springfield Public Schools was well represented by 20+ groups in the Springfield Christmas Parade on Dec. 13 in downtown Springfield, MO. This classic community tradition has included SPS school bands for decades, but this year saw the bands joined by multiple performance and school groups. 

The parade was led by the Central High School Kiltie Drum & Bugle Corps as the grand marshals. The 2025-2026 corps were joined by more than 70 Kiltie alumni, including two former kilties from the class of 1959. This honor was in celebration of the Kilties’ 100th Anniversary, making them the oldest continually running, all-female uniformed Scottish drum and bugle corps in the United States.

The parade also included the McBride Elementary Junk Band for the first time. Students marched through downtown Springfield drumming on upside down plastic buckets that they decorated with tape, string and red, shining reindeer noses. 

"Unlike choir, there aren’t a lot of opportunities for bucket drummers to perform. However, parades are the perfect avenue for them to show what they’ve learned loudly and proudly,"  said Amber Blaylock, music teacher at McBride Elementary. "Also, many of my students had never been in a parade before, so it was so great to be able to give them this opportunity!"

Other groups represented in the parade include:

• Glendale High School Falcon Regiment Band

• Glendale High School color guard

• Cherokee Middle School cheer

• Cherokee Middle School band

• Kickapoo High School Golden Arrow Band

• Kickapoo High School color guard

• Kickapoo High School cheer

• Parkview High School Lassies Drum & Bugle Corps

• Parkview High School Viking Band

• Parkview High School color guard

• Parkview High School cheer

• Hillcrest High School Blue Wave Band

• Glendale High School Turning Point USA

• Central High School band

• Central High School color guard

• Central High School dance team

• Parkview High School step team

• Hillcrest High School Future Farmers of America draft team