The “Mean Green Marching Machine,” Mississippi Valley State University’s (MVSU) marching band, has been invited to perform at the 60th Presidential Inauguration Parade in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2025.
The band’s performance will coincide with the inauguration of President Donald Trump for his second term. This will be the band’s second appearance at a presidential inauguration; the first was in 1968 when they performed at President Richard Nixon’s inaugural parade in Pasadena, California.
“This is not just a moment of pride for our university but for the entire state of Mississippi,” said Dr. Jerryl Briggs, MVSU’s president. “It is an opportunity to showcase our legacy, celebrate our culture, and invest in the future leaders of our community.”
The total cost of the trip, which includes travel, accommodations, meals, and equipment transport, is estimated to be around $350,000. MVSU has launched a GoFundMe page to raise the necessary funds for the journey.
The “Mean Green Marching Machine” will follow in the footsteps of Talladega College’s “Great Tornado Marching Band,” which performed at Trump’s first inauguration in 2017. The Talladega band successfully raised $667,000 through fundraising efforts.
