HOCO ‘15 parade features new additions

Every year, Edinboro University’s homecoming weekend is packed full of numerous events, activities, and happenings; including the annual homecoming parade. This year’s parade will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Just as in years past, the parade will consist of a variety of floats and walking groups, created and formed by student based clubs, faculty members, and community organizations. However, the annual parade also has a few new addition, regarding the parade’s division arrangement. There will be two float divisions, large and small, along with a separate division for walking units.

In addition to the changes in the parade’s divisions, the parade’s theme has also changed, along with the amount of student involvement. This year’s parade theme is “BoroPalooza goes Hollywood,” which encourages parade participants to bring out their inner celebrity. Also, there has been a significant increase in student club and organization involvement. Tyler Jemetz, senior director of finance for Edinboro’s Student Government Association (SGA), shared that student involvement in the parade has increased substantially compared to years past. Jemetz described the escalation in student participation as “more than ever before,” and expressed that the increase will lead to a very “exciting” parade.

“It’s become a festival more so than a parade,” said Jemetz. Additionally, the senior SGA member shared that the parade will have a “presentation within the parade,” and will include the traditional parade aspects, such as candy, spirit beads, and a variety of university souvenir items.

Edinboro Vice President, Tina Mengine, also shared that the first ever homecoming celebration was held Oct. 23-24, 1926; however, the exact year the parade was added to the celebration is unknown.

Mengine also expressed that throughout the parade years, it has evolved in multiple ways; the most noticeable way being community involvement.

“The parade is as much for the community as it is for the campus, [and] it’s important that we encourage participation from all.”

“The Homecoming parade is the singular embodiment of the celebration, because it brings everyone together. There’s a reason people 50 years out of college come back” remarked Jemetz.

Additionally, Mengine also expressed her feelings towards the importance of the parade. “It is a way to bring the campus, current and alumni, and the community together. It is the one event of the weekend that everyone participates in.”

The entire homecoming celebration kicks off Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Louis C. Cole Auditorium with a special Erie Philharmonic Concert featuring musical pieces from Hollywood’s biggest hits.

For more information regarding the homecoming celebration and parade, visit homecoming.edinboro.edu.

Macala Leigey is a Staff Writer for The Spectator.

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