By Robbie Rockwell and Allison Wulfhorst
Penn State’s Homecoming Parade was filled with a variety of clubs and organizations representing their respective groups with unique floats and various props. From Greek life to sports to alumni associations from around the country, the parade had a little bit of everything, all showing off Penn State pride.
The festivities began with local radio stations like B94.5 followed by groups of dancers and the ROTC programs. The Army ROTC started off, with the Naval and Air Force ROTC close behind. They received a large ovation with many members of the crowd thanking them for their service.
Photo: Photo: Mary Frances Pillion/Onward State
Representatives of academic colleges such as the Eberly College of Science and College of Agricultural Sciences made appearances along with many chapters under the Alumni Association. Student organizations like the Homecoming Executive Committee, UPUA, and THON were all represented — the latter of which did the THON 2016 line dance while displaying the recently announced theme for THON 2017: Igniting Hope Within. The Lion Ambassadors and Blue and White Society had undoubtedly the best float of night, riding on a paper-machete and chicken wire rendition of Rec Hall and sporting black and pink S-Zone shirts (which will make an appearance at Saturday’s homecoming game as well).
The Blue and White Society and Lion Ambassador’s Rec Hall float. (Photo: Mary Frances Pillion/Onward State)
Teams from men’s gymnastics to Lady Lion basketball to club swimming represented the athletic side of Penn State. The gymnastics team impressed with a pommel horse on their float, performing stunts even while the float was moving.
Men’s gymnastics team athletes performed on the pommel horse while their float was moving. (Photo: Steffen Blanco/Onward State)
Floats such as the Nittany Cruiser and The Button Man stood out because they were recognizable to so many. The Nittany Cruiser represented a favorite football weekend pastime: tailgating. The Button Man showed appreciation Citizen Bank’s witty collaboration to make enemy-themed buttons for each Penn State game.
Fraternities and sororities paired up to create their themed floats. The themes ranged from Disney, including Aladdin (Sig Mu), Star Wars (Phi Sigma Kappa and dance group, Peace Love Lyrical), High School Musical, (Theta Chi and Gamma Sigma Sigma), and Peter Pan (Alpha Kappa Delta and Tapestry). There was also the Wizard of Oz (Chi Phi, Triangle, and Phi Sigma Rho), Circus (PSDA and Alpha Kappa Epsilon), and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Alphi Chi Phi, and Whiplash).
Alpha Chi Rho and Whiplash’s “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” float. (Photo: Steffen Blanco| OS)
Homecoming Grand Marshall Joel Myers cruised by in a convertible, waving to the large crowd, and receiving lots of cheers. The Homecoming Court also got to experience the parade in convertibles, except for drum major Jimmy Frisbie who marched it in his usual position in front of the Blue Band. The band was the last to come through, playing a lively combination of Penn State fight songs and an drumline cadence.
Here comes the Blue Band! pic.twitter.com/SBxBkEd2BC
— Onward State (@OnwardState) October 8, 2016
