Aggies are gearing up for this year’s Homecoming parade
Tomorrow morning, USU will be celebrating a long-standing tradition in Logan.
The Homecoming parade will feature a variety of entries from campus organizations, local communities and related businesses. It starts at 10 a.m. and runs from 200 South to 700 North on Main Street.
Fraternities like Sigma Chi are creating floats to celebrate USU and the Homecoming tradition.
Paul Creech, a senior majoring in political science and philosophy, said, “It’s important to stay connected with our traditions as Aggies.” Creech is the Sigma Chi undergraduate chapter adviser and is in charge of the Homecoming Committee.
This year’s parade organizer is Scott Olson, who directs major events for the USU Alumni Association.
“It’s always exciting. I always enjoy seeing the different entries from the students,” he said. “The Big Band Swing Club – they’re usually dancing on their trailer. It’s a lot of music, movement and fun.”
Some other student entries include ASUSU Traditions, the Alumni Association, Homecoming Royalty, Hockey Club, International Student Council, Ambassadors, Service Center, USU Housing and the Deaf Education Student Association.
The Hockey Club members will be riding on a fire truck. Heather Dempsey, a junior majoring in human resources, is this year’s president of the club, who noted most of the players on the float will be the new players on the team.
The International Student Council is also putting together a float that will display many flags from different countries. Council members, including President Amrith Gardihewa, Vice President Becky Chiu and Vice President Trasad Gankanda will pass out candy to the parade watchers.
Djenane Dias, secretary at the International Student Council office, encourages all international students to come see the parade as well as to be on the float.
Entries will also come from local businesses like New Horizons Beauty College and cities like River Heights and Nibley. This year’s Grand Marshall, Jed H. Pitcher, will be riding in the parade, as well as the Alumnus of the Year, Gerald R. Sherratt.
Creech encouraged students to go, saying, “The parade is a lot of fun. We always have a good time going down and getting the free candy and all that stuff. It would be a waste if the students don’t go.”
The Sigma Chi’s are celebrating 80 years at USU and chose to use the theme to decorate their float.
Creech said, “[Our] float will probably display something about the 80 years we’ve been here as well as something about Utah State.”
According to Olson, there will be about 80 entries in this year’s parade.
He said, “People are welcome to line up anywhere along the route. We’d love to have students and others come out to support the clubs and the other organizations in the parade.”
-apwinegar@cc.usu.edu