More than 1,000 alumni and students will participate in the BYU Homecoming Parade Saturday, Oct. 11, in one of the oldest traditions at the university.
“Go the Distance” is a great theme for a parade,” says Ron Jones, who has been in charge of the parade for the past decade. “We’ve had a lot of enthusiasm generated for it and already have several floats and community entries.”
The hour-long parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of University Parkway and Ninth East and continue south down Ninth East past the Creamery on Ninth before going down to 800 North and eventually reaching the Smith Fieldhouse. Eight different awards will be given, including the Bookstore Award for the best overall entry, and the Moroni Award for best ward or stake entry.
Among the entries will be the Alumni Association Board, Student Alumni Services, the College of Nursing and the International Folk Dance Ensemble. The J. Reuben Clark Law School will have a float with law students forming a briefcase brigade and chasing an ambulance. Janet Lee Chamberlain, widow of former BYU President Rex E. Lee and the 2008 Homecoming Founder, will be the parade’s grand marshal.
Every year antique cars are donated to carry dignitaries; this year the 2008 Mayor’s Award from the Days of ’47 Parade (a float depicting BYU’s heritage) will be among the entries.
The Cougar Marching Band, the cheerleaders, Cosmo and several dozen other entries will add to the festivities.
A free pancake breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m. will have stations convenient to the parade route, including the Creamery on 9th East, the Sinclair station on the southeast corner of campus, the Botany Pond and the base of the Maeser Building stairs.
Writer: Angela Fischer
