Mableton’s Pebblebrook High School Marching Band Performs in Cherry Blossom Parade in Nation’s Capital

The Mighty Marching Machine of Pebblebrook High School took center stage in Washington, D.C. earlier this month, performing in the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Parade. This annual parade, a signature event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, draws over 1.5 million visitors and features a highly selective lineup of performers from across the country.

Pebblebrook’s band was among a small number of groups nationwide invited to take part in the prestigious celebration, which honors the historic gift of cherry blossom trees from the mayor of Tokyo to the United States more than 100 years ago. The students marched down Constitution Avenue, with the Washington Monument as their dramatic backdrop and thousands of cheering spectators lining the route.

“The students showed incredible discipline and passion, knowing that they would be representing not only Pebblebrook High School but the entire Cobb County School District,” said Band Director Eulas Kirtdoll. He called the experience of performing in the nation’s capital a true highlight, adding, “The performance was a culmination of hard work, fundraising, and support from our community.”

Beyond their performance, the students also had the opportunity to explore several of Washington’s national landmarks and museums. A special moment came during their tour of the U.S. Capitol Building, where they met U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia, who shared his enthusiasm for the band’s visit in a social media post.

“Long before I was a pastor and U.S. Senator, I was a young baritone player in Savannah!” Sen. Warnock wrote on Facebook, celebrating the students’ achievement and their Georgia roots.