Five Columbiana County band directors have been chosen to march in the 2026 Rose Parade's Band Directors Marching Band in California.

The Saluting America's Band Directors (SABD)'s choices for local high school band directors to participate in Pasadena's Rose Parade include:

  • Jennifer Mollenkopf and Kyle Zimmerman of East Palestine 
  • Emily Forbes Bowling of Southern Local 
  • Charles Miller of Columbiana 
  • Eric Bable of Crestview

The five directors will join the more than 350 band directors on January 1, accompanying a float moving along the 5.5-mile parade route.

Some of the Columbiana County directors are in their first year, while the oldest marcher is in his 50th year of teaching. Within the area directors, Zimmerman is in his 3rd year, Miller is in year 12, Bable is in year 14, Bowling is in year 26 and Mollenkopf is in year 31.

The band will be led by nationally known music educator Jon Waters and is sponsored by Pickerington, Ohio's Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation.

The Band Directors Marching Band first marched in the 2022 Rose Parade, where Mollenkopf and Bowling participated. When the band was invited to get back together to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in 2023, Miller and Zimmerman were also selected to join the band. Now in its third iteration, Bable will also be accompanying the group to California.

In addition to the parade, the band will spend several days rehearsing and performing throughout the area at events such as the Tournament of Roses Bandfest and float judging contest.  

Nationwide, members of the Band Directors Marching Band are also contributing to the project with their "Service Through Music" initiative. The Columbiana and East Palestine bands presented the SABD arrangement of "Amazing Grace" as a tribute to first responders at performances in fall 2025. These efforts will be recognized at a gala dinner while in Pasadena.

The parade will be aired locally, starting at 11 a.m. EST on January 1.