Muleskinner

Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Homecoming 2006

earth afloat- A fully pomped earth float moves through a past homecoming parade with a crowd lining the streets to view the annual event.

forward march- An aerial shot shows the 1939 Marching Mules band in the homecoming parade.

Imagine the streets of Holden, Gay, College and South lined with people of all ages. As they sit or stand, dozens of colorful floats, bands of various sizes and, of course, those walking handing out candy pass by. No, this is not something that happens every day, but it will Saturday at 9:30 a.m., when the homecoming parade takes over the streets of downtown Warrensburg.

The parade route begins on Holden, turns east onto Gay, proceeds onto College and finishes on South Street.

It takes many people to organize the parade, said Teah Berti, president of the Homecoming Leadership Committee, which helps coordinate omecoming activities, along with Campus Activities.

The ROTC on campus will help contribute by directing the parade along the route.

This is the first year there has been a committee. It began after homecoming last year and has gained strength as the year progressed.

"This year was big for students to get involved with the preparation of homecoming, like in the forming of the committee," Berti said.

Part of preparing for the parade is establishing rules and guidelines that entries must follow.

"If organizations want to be competitive in a parade division, they need to decorate according to the theme of homecoming, 'Moving Forward, Giving Back,'" Berti said.

Parade divisions include floats and walking entries. Other rules are that no candy can be thrown; it must be handed to people.
Organizations must be properly identified with a sign or banner, and floats should not be more than 14-feet-tall, because they will not be able to clear overhead cables.
Awards will be presented at the football game. Awards for the parade, and awards based on points earned during the week, will be announced.

Organizations can participate in activities throughout the week of homecoming to try to earn points, ending with the parade.
First place for the week will receive $500, second place will get $350 and third place will get $150, Berti said.

Some organizations, like the honors fraternity, Phi Sigma Pi, decided against building a float and entered as walking entries.
This saves many organizations time and money, as well as the stress of finding a place to store such a structure.

"We decided to partake in other things this year and invest that float time in things, such as a cheer," said Stephanie Glinn, president of Phi Sigma Pi.

"And with the walking float, we will be having a banner and using our new tall wooden letters. We will still be able to get our name out there without messing with tissue paper and paint."

All entries can hand out candy, but those with a float must designate people to walk beside it, since nothing may be thrown.

Walking entries can more easily hand out candy to those attending the biggest social event of the year.

"We are excited about this change and think it will fit us better," Glinn said.

"To us, getting our name out there is the point, and we will still achieve that. Plus, we'll be handing out candy, and everyone loves the people with candy."

The parade is not just for those who live in the community and have small children. Many alumni come back to participate in all of the festivities of the day.

Even though there is not a specific budget designated for the parade, it does not cost much to put together and run; and it is also an important part of the day for many, Berti said.

"I feel like homecoming at CMSU, I mean UCM, is the highlight of the fall," said Sandy Bruner, 2005 graduate.

"It is a great opportunity for the community of students, student organizations and athletes to come together with the community of Warrensburg as a whole. Without the parade, this would not be possible."

The parade is the beginning of homecoming day celebrations, for most.

Some will begin the day even earlier at the Breakfast of Champions on Pine Street, possibly stumbling to the parade once the breakfast concludes.

"Even though [the parade] is a bit early, it is worth getting up for," Bruner said.

"The parade is a time to see friends, professors, different organizations and students from the past and present and show their support of [UCM]."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools