Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts. A Podcast for Marching Arts Enthusiasts — On the Field, In the Stands & Behind the Scenes.

This week, we’re celebrating the world of parades—the traditions, the chaos, the unexpected moments, and the marching arts culture behind them. Jackie, Jack, Grantis, and Jeremy take a full tour through America’s most iconic parades, sharing stories from the street, expert opinions, and tips every band and guard should know before stepping off.

We dig into everything from national spectacles like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Rose Parade, and Mardi Gras to regional favorites including the Mummers Parade, Cherry Blossom Parade, Gatlinburg Midnight Parade, Bristol 4th of July, Lodi Grape Festival, Portland Grand Floral Parade, Detroit’s Thanksgiving traditions, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, and the highly competitive California parade circuit.

Whether you love parades for the pageantry, the community connection, or the pure unpredictability (yes—goats, llamas, feathers, wine fountains, and more), this episode has something for everyone.

What We Cover

• Why parades matter for school culture, community presence, and recruitment

• Parade memories that shaped each panelist

• The role of drum majors and block structure on a moving route

• What makes the Rose Parade turn so intimidating

• How Mardi Gras float builders create parade magic

• Why Philly’s Mummers Parade is still unmatched in personality

• What directors overlook: spacing, alignment, showmanship, and audience impact

• The difference between competitive parade judging and community performance

60-Second Tech Block

Jack Goudreau delivers a full breakdown of how to build a proper parade block, covering interval control, step-off technique, first-step mechanics, subdivision, and how body alignment affects sound and visual clarity.

Water We Doing?!

Jeremy questions why parade blocks cater to judges instead of the audience. Grantis talks about students who join band for connection, not competition. Jack calls out unsafe guard/band collisions and poor spacing on parade routes.

Gush & Go

The panel shares end-of-season highlights, life updates, creative inspiration, and their excitement for wrapping up Season 3 and stepping into Season 4.

This Week’s Panel

Jackie Brown — @spintronixguard  Jackson Goudreau — @goudreau_  Grantis Peranda — @grantisimo_p  Jeremy Williams — @guardcloset

Sponsors

Peak Group Travel — @peak.group.travel  Guard Closet — @guardcloset

Find On A Water Break

Website: onawaterbreakpodcast.com Linktree: linktr.ee/onawaterbreak Email: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com Be a Guest: form in our bio Follow us everywhere: @onawaterbreak

We’ll see you next rehearsal — On A Water Break.