For the MSU community, staff members, faculty, students and volunteers join together to present a great homecoming parade.
This year, MSU’s Homecoming parade shines a light on “Spartans Make Headlines.” Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, East Lansing will get to see MSU’s hard work in a festive way. The parade will include student organizations, several sororities and fraternities, East Lansing community groups, Michigan high school bands, the Spartan Marching Band and more. The parade will start at Hannah Community Center and make its way towards Abbot Road to Grand River Avenue and into campus at the Collingwood entrance.
Chair of the Homecoming Committee Regina Cross s aid several groups signed up prior for the parade.
“About 50 online registrations were submitted for the parade this year,” Cross said. “We can expect more than 10,000 people who will be there to see the parade.”
Cross also mentioned how being a part of the Homecoming Committee is a great experience.
“We have different people on the committee from the city of East Lansing to students who oversee when things happen like getting the groups, setting up and VIP coordinating,” Cross said. “Being able to work in a committee that makes homecoming special is a rewarding experience.”
Women’s Initiative for Leadership Development is among one of the organizations involved in the homecoming parade this year. Educational Program Coordinator and advisor for WILD Lydia Weiss said the organization has been involved for the past six years. About 15 to 20 women involved in the organization will walk in the parade distinguishing themselves with their banner.
“WILD is a student group to advance in leadership,” Weiss said. “In the fall, our main responsibility is the Women’s Leadership Conference that is held at the MSU Union and share our knowledge to the MSU community.”
Besides promoting the Women’s Leadership Conference, WILD is excited for the parade.
“We always get excited for the parade because it’s a great bonding experience,” Weiss said. “Our mission is to inspire women to develop their leadership skills.”
Residence Education and Housing Services will present itself with a float this year as well.
Residential and Hospitality Services Communications Manager Kat Cooper said this year’s float will highlight the changes in the facilities at MSU.
“Staff members and a few students have helped with the float and I’ve been helping with decorating,” Cooper said. " We started three to four weeks ago brainstorming, and one thing I can say about our float is that it will have thousands of plastic flowers.”
In the end, it’s the spirit that will make this year’s parade special for many in the MSU community.
“We’re all really excited to give back to the Spartan community,” Cooper said. “It demonstrates pride in being a Spartan and seeing all the Spartans out there is mutual love for this university.”
