SLIDESHOW: Homecoming parade marches through campus, downtown

The Central Michigan University Homecoming Week was capped off with a complete day of events on Saturday.

After a morning 5k run, some alums joined the CMU marching band in morning rehearsals before marching from campus to downtown Mount Pleasant late Saturday morning. Some of the alumni wore their letterman’s jackets.

“They had new cheers so it was kind of complicated,” said CMU marching band alum Beth Gazella. “If I made a mistake, it didn’t matter. I haven’t played the fight song in a while so it was fun.”

Along with the band were floats including the CMU indoor dance team, Green’s Towing, Mount Pleasant Area Diversity Group and Halloween Central, among others.

The Homecoming grand marshals, Herb and Marilyn Deromedi, waved to a crowd who stood in a steady cold breeze to see to the end of the parade. The Deromedi’s were followed by University President George Ross with his wife Elizabeth, as well as Homecoming ambassadors on carriages pulled by horses.

The parade was also fulfilling for younger kids. Kyle Madison, 6, held up a bag filled with candy. His brother, Caleb, 7, patted the pocket where he kept his candy. Kyle said the parade was excellent.

“I like the ship the most because there was a man driving it who made bubbles,” Kyle said.

Gazella said she was looking forward to the rest of the day, not just the parade. She was excited to play with the band at the Homecoming football game against Ball State, which is her first performance at a CMU football game in years.

“I’m more excited to play at the game,” Gazella said. “Last game I played at was the 2007 bowl game in Detroit.”

Gazella said since she left CMU in 2011, she’s taught a couple band classes. She said she occasionally still plays her clarinet. She liked the Kappa Kappa Psi float the most, she said. It seemed to her, however, there were less people at the parade.

“It kind of seems like there’s less people,” Gazella said.

Gazella said she will most likely participate with the marching band in future Homecomings.

“Especially if I can bring back the people who marched with me,” Gazella said.