Despite weather, parade a success

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Fog and low temperatures did nothing to slow the Chippewa spirit displayed in the 2002 CMU Homecoming Parade Saturday morning.

“All I care about is that it’s not raining,” said Leah Raney, South Lyon junior.

Raney was the committee organizer for Standing in the Gap’s homecoming efforts. She said she has been excited about the event.

“We’ve been planning this for two weeks. It’s a lot of fun,” she said.

The parade began at 10 a.m. and traveled through campus and downtown Mount Pleasant, ending at the Sacred Heart Parish, 302 S. Kinney St.

CMU alumnus Nate Bolzin, campus minister, said efforts are not only about fun.

“We are excited about the parade this year. We are making an effort to build an alumni base,” he said.

Pure fun was the basis of involvement for others, involving a few surprises with the efforts.

“When I woke up this morning, I never expected to be Bugs Bunny,” said Amy Shurlow, Pinconning junior.

Shurlow, Program Board member, participated in the parade, sporting a Bugs Bunny costume for the Office of Student Life.

The parade involved a combination of efforts from the Mount Pleasant and CMU communities. Area businesses, including Celebration! Cinema, 4935 E. Pickard Road, and Greens Towing, 731 S. Mission Road, were just two of the many businesses with floats involved in the parade. CMU showed its support through campus groups and organizations participating, including Residence Hall Assembly, the Honors Program and the 2002 Homecoming Ambassador participants.

Parade participators gathered in Lot 22 on the north end of campus and began their venture downtown at 10 a.m. Mount Pleasant community members lined the streets along the way, showing their support for CMU.

The highlight for the community was the presence of Dave Keilitz, 2002 Homecoming grand marshal.

Former Athletics Director Keilitz, American Baseball Coaches Association executive director, is no stranger to CMU homecoming activities. This year marked his 42nd homecoming, and he said he was honored to be the named grand marshal for the event.