Tarzan saved the day and cowboys were in shoot-outs in the Homecoming 2003 Parade Saturday morning.
Floats, Marching bands and numerous cars filled the streets of Muncie, decorated for the theme, "Wild With Pride."
About 157 entries participated in this years Homecoming parade.
"It just gets bigger and bigger every year," Jeff Duerstock, parade chairman said. Last year the parade had 143 entries.
Convertibles provided by the Indianapolis Convertible Club carried members of the steering committee, Grand Marshal Tolu Olowomeye and Miss United States of America and Ball State student Tiffany Schroer.
Floats created by various organizations also participated.
The Catholic Student Union created a jungle theme for its float.
The float featured a Miami fan who tried to take Jane and a swinging Tarzan.
"Tarzan goes 'Wild With Pride,'" Kelli Korte, CSU member said.
Korte said CSU spent six to seven hours working on the float.
"It's a lot of fun to come up with the float idea," Korte said.
While many students dressed as Tarzan for their floats, Public Relations Student Society of America focused on the wilds of the business world.
"We're doing a spin-off of 'It's a jungle out there'; now it's 'Wild out there,'" Emily Minnick, PRSSA president, said.
The club created miniature skyscrapers that represented the high standards of professionalism, Minnick said.
This was the first year that PRSSA was in the parade.
"I think we did amazing for our first year," Minnick said. "I love the fact of being here and what's done is done."
Cowboys and showgirls were another part of the parade.
Schmidt and Wilson Residence Halls made a saloon out of their float with a cowgirl shooting a toy gun at the crowd.
"(My favorite part) was passing out the candy to the kids," Schmidt resident Andrea Wagner said. "They would wave and scream to get your attention."
Wagner said she also enjoyed the bonding time with her fellow residents.
"We did it (the float) really late into the morning and it was really fun hanging out with people I usually don't," Wagner said.
The parade also featured the Death Mobile from "National Lampoon's Animal House," a mobile tanning bed, impersonators of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, and of course, marching bands.
"I love the bands," alumnus Tom Himminger said. "I enjoy the music and they're so enthusiastic."
Marching bands from all over Indiana were invited to march and compete for cash prizes. Those who wanted to participate received $100 for travel expenses, Duerstock said.
Five bands marched in the parade and were judged by a panel of three on their marching techniques and musicality.
Muncie Southside won first prize, winning $400. Second place and $300 went to Mississinewa; third and $200 went to Cowan; and fourth and $100 went to Wapahani.