Because of construction on Wheeling Avenue, the Homecoming parade route has been modified to accommodate the crowds and participants in the parade, Ben Yoder, Homecoming Steering Committee Parade Chairman, said.
This isn't the first year the parade route has changed. Last year's route was altered because of construction as well, Yoder said.
Parade participants will meet at Muncie Central High School, which is the traditional meeting spot. Then they will take North Walnut Street to Charles Street to North Meeks Avenue to West University Boulevard and finally to North McKinley Avenue.
North Wheeling Street would have been the ideal parade route, but it is down to two lanes due to construction, Yoder said. Floats would have a hard time going down the street, he said, and there wouldn't be enough space to turn on University Avenue.
About 125 campus organizations and community groups and representatives will participate in the parade.
"We have teamed up with S.A.E. [Sigma Alpha Epsilon] to work on our float all this week," Alexis Crouch, vice president of Public Relations for Kappa Delta sorority, said. "We are all pretty excited about our theme for the float; it should be interesting."-á
Voices of Triumph Gospel Choir members will ride in a truck and and walk in the parade. They will play music from the truck, pass out candy and sing, Michelle Thomas, vice president of VOT, said. -á
"We spent a lot of time on decorating our banner because that was the main thing, while the truck will have some decoration," she said. Planning for the parade began in February. Paperwork was filed, Ball State talked with Muncie about coordinating the route and parade and letters were written to politicians requesting their attendance, Yoder said. The Homecoming Steering Committee had to find convertibles for important people in the parade, and inform the community and campus of the parade plans and deadlines.-á
"We had strict deadlines this year for participants; if they didn't have their paperwork in on time, they couldn't participate," Yoder said.-á
Yoder said he was getting the participant list organized and will create the parade line-up.
"All we can do now is wait for the day to come," he said.-á
The best place to see the parade for Ball State students will be at the corner of North Meeks and University avenues or in the Village, Yoder said. -á
"I'd love to see a lot of people come out and show off that 'Cheers to 80 years' spirit," he said. -á
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
