Riske marches in Macy’s parade

By Casey Krautkramer

Patty Riske, a retired Athens School District band teacher, took advantage of a unique opportunity to play her flute while marching in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.

She was one of 400 band directors from throughout the United States and Mexico to play in The Band Directors Marching Band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

“It was such an uplifting experience,” Riske said. “It goes beyond words just how beautiful it is to spend time with people in the same profession, and it was wonderful to have my family there to support me.”

Her husband, Doug Riske, and the couple’s daughter’s, Allison Halvorsen and Rachel Ostrander, were in New York City to watch her play in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade that has happened for almost the past 100 years. Department store Macy’s, the flagship store on 34th Street in New York City, held its first Thanksgiving Day parade in 1924. NBC has televised the parade for viewers since 1953.

Patty Riske submitted an application to join the Saluting America’s Band Directors in 2022. Her application was accepted and then she discovered its Band Directors Marching Band would be performing in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

She received e-mails of the sound files of songs her Band Directors Marching Band would be playing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. She loaded them onto her cell phone to practice playing on her flute at home and while marching on the Athens High School track. She and the other band members needed to have the songs memorized before flying out on Nov. 18 to New York City for practices and performances leading up to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

Riske had other great opportunities while in New York City to perform with The Band Directors Marching Band at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City and to see the Rockettes perform at the Radio City Music Hall. After marching in the 2-1/2 mile Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, The Band Directors Marching Band performed songs at Macy’s Herald Square for Macy’s employees and their family members.

RISKE SHINES BRIGHT IN THE NEW YORK SUNSHINE- Patty Riske is shown holding her flute while donning The Band Directors Marching Band uniform that she performed with in this year’s

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. PHOTO BY ALLISON HALVORSEN

STRONG FAMILY SUPPORT DURING THE PARADE- Patty Riske’s husband, Doug Riske, and their daughters, Allison Halvorsen and Rachel Ostrander, are shown at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

PHOTO SELFIE BY ALLISON HALVORSEN