Students, community members to flock downtown for Homecoming parade

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The streets of Mount Pleasant will be lined with maroon and gold to celebrate homecoming week Saturday.

Student organizations, local businesses, fraternities and sororities will be participating in the Homecoming parade.

Having the homecoming parade go through downtown is also a big draw for the community. Many people come out to shop eat and enjoy the surrounding parks committing a lot of time to the downtown area, said Michelle Sponseller, downtown development director.

“We’ve been planning since this past July,” said Paul Sullivan, Lincoln Park senior and Homecoming parade coordinator. “It’s been complicated coming up with applications for the parades and sending out letters to businesses. You don’t get to see results until the actual parade. I can’t wait to see fruits of labor.”

Most of the parade participants or onlookers are from Central Michigan University. Students, faculty and staff come out to support their peers, said Damon Brown, coordinator of student activities.

This year, total participation will be a higher than normal. Fifty-six groups — all with floats — will be participating in the parade and there are always additional last minute sign ups, Sullivan said.

“Who doesn’t love a parade? It’s one of the best ways to get the community together,” Sponseller said.

There will be 15 teams participating in the maroon cup and 24 participating in the Golden Goblet creating floats and some competition.

Maroon Cup teams compete in all events and the Golden Goblet is for smaller registered student orginazations. They compete in limited events.

The Homecoming parade should go very well, there is a lot of excitement for participation this year, Sullivan said.

“It will be exciting to see all of the hall and student participation,” Brown said. “It’s nice seeing everyone participate in one of Central Michigan Universities oldest traditions.”