Parade to happen, rain or shine

“Bar lightning and thunder, we will drudge through the bad weather before postponing this year’s homecoming parade,” said Andrew Perius, director of Homecoming for the IU Student Alumni Association.

The association is adamant that bad weather will not keep this year’s parade from taking place, unlike 2008, when rainy conditions forced the parade to be cancelled.
Perius said the SAA is banking on good weather for the 52nd Annual Homecoming Parade on Friday.

He said the association will take the students and residents of Bloomington through a journey of standout events from the University’s history with the theme “Now and Then 2010.”

The University’s Homecoming parade has come a long way since its inception in 1909, when the University’s marching band met a delegation of crimson alumni at the Evansville train station before commencing with a parade through the downtown streets and into the University.

The event is expected to include more than 60 organizations from around the campus and the city of Bloomington in an effort to show the spirit and pride of IU, Perius said.
He said student organizations are being encouraged to register and join in on the parade, which is meant to show the best of the University and the town.

“All the groups have to be proud of who they are, and this is a chance for them to show what they offer,” Perius said.

Organizations and individuals can participate in the parade by either building a float, decorating a car, decorating a bicycle or marching in a group, according to the IU Alumni Association’s website.

Perius said the most noteworthy marching groups during the past couple of years have been the various dignitaries who have attended the event, such as IU president Michael McRobbie.

“The floats that tend to stick out are those that are clean and well made — we noticed that those are more appreciated,” Perius said. “One of the most impressive groups was a tractor display done by an organization from Monroe County.”

SAA members hope the event will continue to grow year after year as more student groups are formed and expand in membership.
 
 ­— Siyabonga Africa