Costumed characters add family fun to homecoming

Clowns, zombies, princesses and dancers wandered their way from campus to downtown Mount Pleasant on Saturday as part of the annual Homecoming Parade.

Led by police cars and ambulances, the parade began at Lot 22 on west campus and made its way through Main Street, before finishing in downtown after about 90 minutes of marching.

The further down Main Street the parade went, the more spectators were seen. Hundreds of people, many of whom were CMU students and alumni, partied and cheered as the paraders and floats went by.

One of those students was Macomb senior Robert Kirchhoff, who was enthusiastic about the event.

“I’m pretty impressed by all of this,” Kirchhoff said. “It’s really cold out, but a lot of alumni showed up, so it’s pretty exciting.”

Downtown, families and energetic children who were eager to get candy that was being thrown into the crowd by parade members.

Six-year-old Tyler Harris sported a big smile on his face as he devoured a red lollipop.

“I love the princesses and the monsters,” Tyler yelled. “I want more candy!”

In addition to children, there were many Mount Pleasant residents in attendance.

Rozi Saunders has lived in Mount Pleasant for most of her life and has been coming to the Homecoming Parade since 1963.

“I’m having a wonderful time today,” Saunders said. “I would like to see more floats, like they used to have.”

Many Mount Pleasant businesses and various Central Michigan University groups were featured, including the marching band, dance teams and an assortment of fraternities and sororities.

Ortonville junior Pat Wivo, the president of Theta Pi Iota, said his fraternity was excited and grateful to participate in the parade.

“We are very excited to contribute to the tradition,” Wivo said. “This is our third year in a row, and we have a good time"