On January 1, 2008 the Needham B. Broughton High School Band performed in the the 119th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. This prestigious event is known as the "parade of parades" for marching bands. International bands from around the world compete for sixteen spots in the parade each year. Less than 1% of all American high school bands are ever identified as potential candidates for application. Only six high school bands from the U.S. performed. Needham B. Broughton High School's marching band was awarded the privilege of representing the entire southeastern part of the United States in the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade.

The band was the first band ever invited to represent Raleigh, North Carolina. The parade was seen by approximately one million in-person spectators, a domestic television audience of 40 million viewers and more than 350 million additional viewers in 150 international territories. The theme for the 119th parade was “Passport to the World’s Celebrations” with bands, floats and equestrians from around the world. Famous chef and television personality Emeril Lagasse was the Grand Marshal.