The “Homecoming Heroes” 2009 Homecoming Parade will include music, marching, heroes and a new extension of the parade route.
As this year’s theme is Homecoming Heroes, Liz Albright, chair of this year’s homecoming parade, said she has included a section of the parade featuring “Hometown Heroes”, which will include representatives from the Big Rapids Police and Fire Departments along with local Veteran’s groups.
“We extended the route through campus and would really like to highlight to students that they can watch the full parade right on campus,” said Albright. “Students can now stay right on campus to see all of the parade entries.”
The parade will run from Big Rapids Middle School in downtown Big Rapids on Michigan Ave. to FLITE on campus. Lineup will begin at 11 a.m. and the parade will begin at 12 p.m. The route will take the parade right along Campus Drive past Helen Ferris Hall and the Arts and Sciences Commons.
Entrants from the area will include the Homecoming King and Queen candidates and last year’s winners will be presented as well. Community representatives from the Downtown Business Association, area restaurants, and local Boy and Girl Scouts will be in the parade, as well as campus representation from different departments.
Some of the RSOs that are entered are Up til’ Dawn, Student Alumni Gold Club, the Newman Center, Ferris Stars, the Equestrian Club, META-Mechanical Engineering, Circle K and many more.
The Grand Marshals of the parade this year is Bob Andrews and his wife Marilyn. Andrews was the last survivor of the 1951 Old Main building fire.
The FSU Pep Band and Big Rapids High School Marching Band will be performing. The Big Rapids Marching Band will be marching and performing songs from their fall show.